Miriam Locke Royal Children’s Hospital

1. Miriam Locke Royal Children’s Hospital “CORPORATISING THE BABY” AND “MACHO MOTHERING” Infant development in contemporary Australian family context

3. ‘Corporatising the Baby’ and ‘Macho – Mothering’Infant Development in a Contemporary Australian Family ContextPresented by: Miriam Locke (PhD completing)AASW State ConferenceNovember 2009.

4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS • What are first-time mothers expectations in relation to infant settling and sleeping 6 weeks prior to the birth of their baby and 9 months post-natally. • - What values, beliefs and knowledge do first time mothers use to construe their infant’s settling and sleeping patterns as problematic or not problematic 6 weeks prior to the birth of their baby and 9 months post-natally.

5. Research DesignExploratory Descriptive2X37 face to face semi structured interviews6 Focus groupsAge range 17 - 37

6. Data Analysis Transcription Word and ExcelCoding

7. Theme 5 – Family Interdependence

8. Cluster 11. Independence, Practical, Confidence in Others, Experiential Knowledge.“Corporatising the Baby” or Social mode parenting. (Grille 2009).

10. Cluster 2 Interdependence, Instinct, Self Confidence and propositional knowledge.“Macho – Mothering”natural or helping mode parenting (Grille 2009)

12. Aspects of Family InterdependenceemotionaleconomicMajor driver is the return to the workforce.

13. Emotional InterdependenceMaternal adjustment – the birth paradoxPartner support for both adjustment and infant sleeping and settling

14. Partner influence was for all mothers less than 21 years – new relationships greater than 21 years – sexual intimacy

15. Economic Interdependence-partner need for sleep- mothers’ losses –identity issues-women and choices – workforce return-employment essential for family survival-work for self fulfilment

16. Workforce Participation StressesLack of emotional preparationMultiple expectations that silence mothersGood partner and support child and familyContribute to family financesGood motherDouble day at work – exhaustionChild care and sleeping problemsWomen dividedPerceived lack of community support

17. Support Comments“I have plans once the baby is born, as I want to return to work. It is adaptive for the baby to have some capacity to separate from me.”Carly 1.5.1 Ante natal interview

18. “I think there is a huge amount of competition in mothering and parenting now. I think its a totally dedicated style of mothering. Macho mothering. Doing it the really hard way and not complaining about it, but seeing it all as wonderful. I have to work and my baby has to learn how to fit into my schedule. It’s not easy for any of us, but if we want to have a baby this is the only option I have.”Carol 2.10. Post natal interview.

19. “The discussion on women and working and how this affects the baby’s settling and sleeping seems to divide and I think it can contribute to isolating some women because of what they choose to do with their baby. Women really need to support each other in this important work and not divide and criticise each other. Services also need to be aware of this and respect us as women with choices.”Carly 1.8.11 Post natal interview

20. Strategies usedChange return to work/study planSelf employmentDefer work/study optionResignPre-planned career pause enacted

21. Further Research QuestionsThere is a parenting paradigm shiftIs this due to a more child friendly society based on new neuro scientific discoveries?Is social valuing of economic development over emotional development?Does the lack of social support and the emerging knowledge from new research indicate a crisis in parenting for first time mothers?