Unwed motherhood, adoption reunion and stigmatized social identities

Authors

Karen R. March, Carleton UniversityFollow

Keywords

Stigma, identity, self-efficacy, unwed motherhood, adoption

Abstract

Abstract

Data gathered from semi-structured interviews with 33 reunited birth mothers show they had been stigmatized for their unwed motherhood and hid this identity to protect self from social censure. The public exposure created by reunion contact with their adult placed children required new ways to manage this stigma trait. The women engaged in a process of identity talk supported by their understanding of altered perceptions of female sexuality and a “no choice” discourse that drew upon historical changes in the social position of unwed mothers. This identity talk increased their self-efficacy by providing stronger control over their presentation of self.

Recommended Citation

March, Karen R. (2019) "Unwed motherhood, adoption reunion and stigmatized social identities," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 46: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.4125
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol46/iss1/5