Time Juggling

The rationalized and commodified time of the ‘time economy’, conditions the value of work and in particular undermines the value of care work. Care – concern for and actual attending to the needs of the particular others for whom we take responsibility – requires enacting time in a way that clashes with the ‘industrial time’ dominating our lives. While the antagonism between care and industrial time has been highlighted by ethicists of care, how carers are juggling in practice between industrial time and specific care time is still to be researched. In this article, we address this question through an in-depth qualitative case study of a social care service in France. Building on Adam’s work on the multiplexity of time (1995, 2004), we discover that while enacting industrial time through ‘scheduling work,’ carers are nevertheless carving out specific temporal features – time as continuous, non-standardized and in the present moment – that are necessary for care. Moreover, we highlight how carers also utilize the clock time that pervades the work organization as resource for care through normative and social dimensions. Thus, this research contributes to deepening our understanding of how care workers cope with the clock time hegemony to carve out a space for care practices. Finally, this research also contributes to showing the affective workings of time, and how it shapes socio-economic practices.

This exploratory study examines the housing experiences of single mothers in the rental housing market of Kelowna, British Columbia, a fast growing mid-size city with high housing costs. We draw on data from a survey of 30 low income single mothers and semi-structured interviews with 11 key informants to elaborate on the numerous barriers that some single mothers face in this rental housing market. Of these, the most cited issues are aff ordability, finding housing that is adequate in size, and discrimination. The single mothers’ coping strategies reflect difficult trade-offs, typically sacrificing sleeping space and privacy for safety, convenient location, and play space. Both the survey respondents and key informants called on senior governments to fund more affordable housing; and remedies such as centralised housing services and government partnerships are discussed.

Within Australian universities, neoliberalism has transformed education into a marketplace and product, where academic employees are regulated and controlled through metrics, productivity, and pressure to maintain and increase ‘value’. In this environment, disabled academics face increasing barriers to workplace participation and meaningful inclusion. To explore the lived experiences of disabled academics, this article draws upon qualitative survey and interview data collected from disabled academics to consider the ways that the academy excludes and disables them. Specifically, we argue that the way time is regulated and managed within the neoliberal university is ableist, and fails to account for the crip temporalities by which disabled academics live their lives. The concept of crip and cripping time in relation to disabled academics opens up new ways of thinking, doing, and being that are not constrained by normative (clock) time that marginalises disabled subjects. While we focus on an Australian context, the near-universalising ‘logics’ of normative time and neoliberal-ableism inherent to universities and societies more generally has implications for everyone. We argue that it is incumbent upon universities to rethink prevailing notions of time that currently elide the experiences and capacities of disabled academics.

The literature suggests long-term consequences and lack of support for birthmothers following relinquishment of their child for adoption (Memarnia in Listening to the experience of birth mothers whose children have been taken into care or adopted, 2014). But there was not any work done to study in-depth experiences of birthmothers after giving away their child in Pakistan. So, the purpose of the present study was to explore the experiences of mothers who relinquished their child for adoption. As the present study was intended to explore lived experiences of a particular group, the phenomenological research design was used to conduct this qualitative study. An interview protocol was devised to explore the experiences of birthmothers. The sample was comprised of five birthmothers who relinquished their child for adoption and fulfilled the criteria. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the birthmothers, and all the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed before analysis. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to interpret the transcripts of interviews. Further, data verification was done through peer scrutiny, by debriefing sessions with the supervisor, and enriches the description of the phenomenon. Four main themes were emerged: Reasons to Relinquish, Psychological Distress, Coping Strategies, and Disenfranchised Grief. The study present that the experience of relinquishment has a negative impact on birthmother and highlights the need for proper measures to regulate the process of adoption and involvement of psychologists during the process of adoption. Moreover, it stresses the need for acknowledgment of the experience and psychological services for birthmothers who relinquish their child.

Pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood: A meta-synthesis of the lived experiences of immigrant women

There are myriad reasons why one may be a single mother. From the woman who chose to pursue a career first and in vitro fertilization at an older age, the widow, a divorcee, one who chose to adopt a child alone, someone serving as a foster parent due to their inability to conceive, to the teenage mother. Regardless of the circumstance, society often places a stigma on a single mother without knowing her full story. This is especially true for African American single mothers. This chapter will explore anecdotal experiences of various African American single mothers. It will tap into the circumstances of how the journey began and how these single mothers have navigated their circumstances to defy the odds to attain success.

This article assesses the wide range of experiences of illegitimacy in eighteenth-century Antwerp. It exposes many instances of pauper agency, yet also cautions against simply assuming that all single mothers were similarly forceful in their dealings with illegitimacy. Four key factors affected the options a single mother had at her disposal in dealing with illegitimate pregnancy: the way poor relief was organised, the relative accessibility of judicial processes, the administrative settings, and the prevailing ideas about illegitimacy and morality among the general community. The article shows how these factors changed in the final quarter of the eighteenth century, impacting on the strategies that single mothers could adopt.

The article explores the emotional experiences of single mothers who are simultaneously pursuing university studies at the University of La Guajira. The study focuses on the development of entrepreneurial skills in these emerging social environments. The research draws on interviews and qualitative analysis to examine the emotional challenges these women face as they balance academic, family, and entrepreneurial responsibilities. The importance of social support networks and educational resources is highlighted to mitigate stress and facilitate access to higher education. In conclusion, the study provides a comprehensive view of the emotional experiences of single student mothers, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches that foster their academic and entrepreneurial development in evolving social environments

This study examines the lived experiences of Muslim single mothers in Coimbatore who observe Iddah, the mandatory waiting period prescribed in Islamic law after divorce or widowhood. While Iddah has been widely discussed in theological and jurisprudential contexts, limited attention has been paid to how women themselves negotiate this practice in everyday life, particularly when they are single mothers balancing faith, livelihood, and motherhood. The research is grounded in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and informed by a decolonial perspective, seeking to highlight women’s voices as authoritative sources of knowledge rather than subjects of external interpretation. Fifteen Muslim single mothers, aged between 23 and 40 years, were selected for the study. The sample included both employed and unemployed women, representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds. In-depth interviews were conducted, allowing participants to reflect on the spiritual, social, and economic dimensions of Iddah. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (i) faith as a source of strength and struggle, (ii) gendered expectations and community stigma, (iii) economic survival during Iddah, and (iv) Decolonial reinterpretations of faith and agency. The findings indicate that while Iddah imposes certain restrictions, participants also view it as a meaningful spiritual practice that provides emotional healing and resilience. At the same time, community surveillance and economic pressures exacerbate their marginalization as single mothers. By foregrounding women’s narratives, this research challenges orientalist and patriarchal readings of Iddah, offering decolonial insights into how faith is embodied, negotiated, and reinterpreted in the lives of marginalized Muslim mothers.

Almost 1 in 4 children in the United States lives in a single-parent household, with Georgia having one of the highest rates. This qualitative research explored the experiences of single mothers in Georgia to recommend effective strategies for improving health outcomes and addressing health disparities. A total of 16 single mothers participated in in-depth interviews, guided by a semi-structured framework based on research questions and a conceptual model of the health effects of life transitions. Three main themes emerged: (1) Transitional Changes: Women expressed that, although single motherhood felt stressful and overwhelming, and they often felt they had “no choice” compared to fathers, they also felt empowered and independent. They emphasized the importance of friendships and social support, noting that their social lives were primarily centered around their children. (2) Health Behaviors: The mothers discussed a decrease in their physical activity level but attempted to incorporate their children into their exercise routines. While their nutrition improved, their children’s well-being was prioritized in their dietary choices. Many mothers experienced anxiety and depression, but they adopted healthier coping strategies following their transition. (3) Community Support: The mothers expressed a desire to expand access to services for working mothers, including daycare assistance, more supplies, and less judgment from the community. The findings revealed that, despite facing financial, physical, social, and mental health challenges, single mothers demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and personal growth. The results suggest a need for policies and interventions aimed at addressing socioeconomic disparities and improving economic security to enhance health outcomes.

Parental burnout is a chronic exhaustion resulting from stress parenting. Single mothers from rural low-income background, bearing dual roles and limited resources, are highly vulnerable to this condition with more complex manifestations. This study aims to explore in depth experiences, dynamic and impacts of parental burnout among single mothers working as laborer in KA Village. This qualitative study with phenomenological approach involved three single mother laborer participants selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through in depth interviews and observation, the analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The findings revealed that all three participants experienced parental burnout, fulfilling all four dimensions: exhaustion (extreme fatigue with physical impact), emotional distancing (emotional detachment from children), ineffectiveness in the parental role (feeling of failure as a parent), and feelings of being fed up. The emerging impacts were more severe than the general portrayal of parental burnout, including tendencies toward neglect, verbal and physical violence against children, as well as suicidal ideation and the desire to escape. This study expands the understanding of parental burnout by demonstrating more severe manifestations and a higher degree of intensity among rural low-income single mothers with extremely limited personal and social resources. These findings indicate the urgency of contextual psychosocial interventions for this vulnerable group.

There are approximately 12 million single parent-headed families in the United States (U.S.), 80% of which are headed by single mothers (United States Census Bureau, 2017). Research suggests that single mothers experience more vocational difficulties than married or partnered mothers (Weitoft, Haglund, & Rosén, 2000), especially working single mothers. This study explored the work experiences of racial minority working single mothers at lower-middle income level using a consensual qualitative research method (Hill et al., 2005). Six primary domains emerged from the data: (a) job/education decision-making, (b) challenges, (c) characteristics of self, (d) resources, (e) coping, and (f) suggestions. We present the practical implications of the study to increase vocational mobility, inform practitioners, and promote greater overall wellness for this marginalized group at various system levels. Suggestions for future research with racial minority working single mothers and limitations of the current study are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

The purpose of writing to know the causes of single mother, the impact and efforts of single mothers to overcome these impacts, using qualitative research methods with phenomenological approaches that highlight the life of single mothers. Results showed that the causes of single mothers were economic stress, domestic violence, death of a spouse and infidelity. The impact, although single mother condition is not expected but this condition also has a positive impact on cases that harm women (domestic violence and infidelity). The negative impact experienced besides psychic then financial condition becomes the impact that most affects single mother. The efforts of single mothers to overcome the negative impact sparked by reorganize their family life after becoming a single mother, motivating themselves to stay strong and spirited by thinking positively and optimistically, in addition to organizing the family economy in the field of trade and beauty services, where the main priority of single mother is educating, raising her children and meeting the economic needs of the family, in addition to the support of large single mother families is very influential.

Single Mothers of Children With Developmental Disabilities: The Impact of Multiple Roles* Alison Stokes Gottlieb** The impact of employment status and a nonspousal partner on the overall well-being of 148 single mothers of children with developmental disabilities was assessed through self-report questionnaires. Although generally multiple roles were associated with greater well-being, the quality of the roles (perceived helpfulness of the partner and perceived financial importance of the job) was more predictive. In fact, interaction effects indicated that having a supportive partner was associated with greater wellbeing for mothers whose employment was their primary income source (primary providers) and for nonemployed mothers, but not for mothers whose employment did not provide the primary family income (partial providers). Among those without a supportive partner, mothers who were partial providers reported greater well-being than did nonemployed mothers or primary provider mothers. Single mothers raising a child with developmental disabilities at home face a dual challenge: They must provide for the emotional and financial needs of their families while coping with the challenges associated with caring for a child with special needs. Most children with disabilities are cared for at home, not in residential programs (Fujiura, Garza, & Braddock, 1989). Caring, however, continues to be viewed primarily as a woman's responsibility with the assumption that mothers will be available to provide this care (Traustadottir, 1991). At the same time, there are increasing societal pressures for single mothers of school-aged children to be employed rather than rely on public welfare (Ellwood, 1996). Despite societal concerns about single-parent families and families caring for a child with disabilities and the large bodies of literature that address each of these family issues independently, there has been very little research documenting the experiences of mothers who combine single parenting with caring for a child with disabilities. Moreover, research on the effects of employment and multiple roles on women has failed to focus on either single mothers or mothers with special caregiving functions. In this era of increasing interest in supporting families to become less dependent on government programs, it is important to understand how employment affects single-mother families of children with developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to investigate the importance of employment and a nonspousal partner among single mothers caring for a child with disabilities. Based on current multiple role theories, research questions addressed how employment and a nonspousal partner may affect different dimensions of mothers' well-being, and the extent to which well-being may be influenced by employment choices. Background The dramatic growth of single-parent families has resulted in greater financial insecurity and increasing numbers of single mothers who enter the work force or seek welfare assistance. It is well documented that single mothers frequently suffer from poverty, role strain, social isolation, and social stigma (McLanahan & Sandefur, 1994; Mulroy & Pitt-Catsouphes, 1994), which, in turn, can negatively impact their children's social and academic adjustment (McLanahan, 1994; Weissbourd, 1994). At the same time, while families have traditionally cared for their children with disabilities at home, policy shifts towards inclusion and community-based services have resulted in societal expectations that children with disabilities should live with their families, despite receiving limited outside support (Birenbaum & Cohen, 1993; Turnbull & Turnbull, 1990). The long-term care of children with special needs often results in increased financial costs, caregiving burden, and restrictions on family lifestyle and career opportunities (Allard, Gottlieb, & Hart, 1993; Birenbaum & Cohen, 1993; Singer et al. …

In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences of non-birth mothers whose child(ren) were planned and conceived within their same-sex relationship. We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 14 participants in Ireland. We transcribed the interviews verbatim and analyzed the data using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Our findings comprised three superordinate themes: A Question of Recognition, An Insecure Connection, and Carving Your Own Way and related subordinate themes. Motherhood experiences were characterized by resilience and vulnerability in parenting their children without legal parental rights and within a heteronormative society that privileged biological motherhood. The dynamic relationship between seeking connection and seeking legitimacy that is at the heart of the participants’ experiences of motherhood is highlighted. Participants encountered challenges to their maternal legitimacy within their families and communities and in their interactions with legal and social institutions. Participants described using various strategies to reinforce their parental identity. Despite the challenges, participants were engaged in constructing satisfying parenting roles. The findings highlight the importance of legitimizing the parental identity of non-birth mothers. Therapists should be sensitive to the additional marginalization of non-birth mothers in same-sex parent families. Validating their vulnerability and their resilience in the face of obstacles may enhance their coping resources. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843211003072