Deficit and asset identity constructions of single women without children living in Australia: an analysis of discourse
Article
Article Title | Deficit and asset identity constructions of single women without children living in Australia: an analysis of discourse |
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ERA Journal ID | 6269 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Addie, Elizabeth (Author) and Brownlow, Charlotte (Author) |
Journal Title | Feminism and Psychology |
Journal Citation | 24 (4), pp. 423-439 |
Number of Pages | 17 |
Year | 2014 |
Place of Publication | London, United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0959-3535 |
1461-7161 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353514539463 |
Web Address (URL) | http://fap.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/06/18/0959353514539463.full.pdf?ijkey=tyjO6dwV53NVhxu&keytype=ref |
Abstract | Construction of adult life course and identity has typically been built around norms of partnering and parenting, placing single women who do not have children outside the norm. Studies undertaken with single women have found that relationship status was a key factor in their identity construction. In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with five, single, women without children, living in Australia. Drawing on critical discursive psychology, we found that participants negotiated two contesting discourses to construct their identities: the Heterosexual Relationship and Family Life discourse and the Independent Single Woman discourse. In crafting identities, tensions were identified between the positioning of self and the positioning of self by others, particularly with respect to the Heterosexual Relationship and Family Life discourse. This was evident in some women contesting the positions afforded by the discourse, instead drawing on an asset identity. This asset identity enabled the women to pursue positive life opportunities. |
Keywords | identity construction; single women; childless women; asset identity; deficit identity; critical discourse analysis |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 440599. Gender studies not elsewhere classified |
520199. Applied and developmental psychology not elsewhere classified | |
520502. Gender psychology | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Psychology, Counselling and Community |
School of Psychology and Counselling | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q27w1/deficit-and-asset-identity-constructions-of-single-women-without-children-living-in-australia-an-analysis-of-discourse
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