Motherhood: Inclusion and Containment, A Case Study

Abstract

This article explores the concept of motherhood and social inclusion in psychological and social contexts in a case study of a mother raising a child with special needs (ASD). The psychological context refers to the emotional “container” that provides support and protection for both mother and child. The social context refers to the reduction of barriers that enable participation, engagement, and acceptance within a new community.
Adopting a self-narrative approach, the study employs deductive content analysis using bricolage methods in content analysis and the discussion (Kincheloe et al., 2011; Ben-Asher, 2021). The analysis revealed three key insights from content analysis results:
the mother’s ability to include her son is grounded in her capability to self-acceptance;
Self-acceptance here is shaped by external social norms and personal (inner) traits, that influenced the mother's sense of belonging and integration into a new community;
Personality traits, particularly self-criticism, was found to be significant in shaping experiences of motherhood containment and social inclusion.