Feminist Sosyal Hizmet Bağlamında “Makbul” Anne İdeolojisinin Dışında Bırakılan Kadınların Deneyimleri

Abstract

In a patriarchal society, women are subjected to identity erasure simply for being women; the acquisition of identity by women gains value only through obtaining the roles of wife and mother. The aim of the research is to uncover the oppression, blaming, and experiences of marginalization faced by women trapped within the heterosexist patriarchal structure, as they sacrifice their own lives to raise "useful" children for society within the discourse of the "acceptable mother," while their children are marginalized. To achieve this goal, 12 LGB parents were interviewed. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview format, aiming to understand how the institution of motherhood is constructed, motherhood experiences, experiences of oppression, and coping processes. The interviews with mothers were transcribed and analyzed using the MAXQDA program. As a result of the analysis, three main themes emerged: (1) Inheritance from Mother to Child: Acceptable Motherhood, (2) Disruption of Acceptable Motherhood, (3) Reconstruction of Motherhood. The study's findings show that pressure and feelings of inadequacy arise when women are solely responsible for providing care because of gender roles. As LGB individuals open up to their mothers, mothers begin to blame and question themselves. During this process, women become silent, isolated, and hesitant to be blamed. In addition to questioning and blaming themselves, they try to cope with various emotions such as shock, denial, and fear. Due to thoughts such as fear of opening up to their spouses and waiting for the right time to come out, they may choose to confide in individuals whom they believe will not blame them strategically. With the relief brought by the first disclosure, mothers may seek support and get acquainted with LGBTI+ family associations. By receiving peer support and professional assistance from these associations, they begin to experience emotional healing, awareness, and empowerment practices, thereby diminishing self-blame with the knowledge of not being alone. While seeking support, women continue the practice of coming out and may confide in various individuals such as spouses and relatives. Moreover, they may engage in activism by providing support to the solidarity practice in which they have become empowered. As a result of this research, recommendations have been developed regarding the curriculum of education within the framework of feminist social work perspective and the practices of social work professionals in order to transform the patriarchal ideology that constitutes the institution of motherhood and reinforces gender roles in society.