The Lived Experience of Working Women Raising Children

직장여성의 육아경험 - 1세 이하 유아를 중심으로 -

  • Published : 2007.07.31

Abstract

Purpose: This study was done to describe the essential structure of the lived experience of working women raising children. Method: Data were collected from 10 employed women with children who were under 2 years of age. The analysis of the data was done using the phenomenological analytic method suggested by Colaizzi (1978). Results: In this study, 6 essential themes were extracted: 'knowing by intuition child-rearing is difficult', 'having guilt-conscious of not being able to perform duties as a mother', 'hard work of maintaining two jobs', 'Lost self', 'realizing that one has become amother', 'thirsting for a social support system'. Conclusion: With a rapidly increasing number of working women, the significance of this study in the field of nursing is in understanding the child-rearing experience of working women. The findings indicate the need for a systemic and emotional support system for working women raising children.

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