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I am because I have to be: Exploring one mother‐worker's identity of the surrendered self through stories of mothering neurodiverse children

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Listed:
  • Angela Owens‐Schill
  • Amanda Peticca‐Harris
  • Sara R. S. T. A. Elias
  • Nadia deGama

Abstract

Our qualitative study delves into the life history of a mother‐worker caring for two neurodiverse children, surfacing how the intensive mental load of balancing domestic and professional responsibilities permeates and shapes her identity. Employing narrative analysis and photovoice methods, we investigate how she navigates the logistical and emotional complexities in both roles across three distinct storytelling events: storying (mis)diagnoses, storying care needs and work negotiations, and storying coping. Our primary contribution lies in introducing the concept of the surrendered self, signaling the amplified and prolonged embodiment of one's provisional identity (mother) based on socio‐cultural expectations of who she thinks she ought to be, leading to the eclipse of other possible identities (woman, wife, worker).

Suggested Citation

  • Angela Owens‐Schill & Amanda Peticca‐Harris & Sara R. S. T. A. Elias & Nadia deGama, 2025. "I am because I have to be: Exploring one mother‐worker's identity of the surrendered self through stories of mothering neurodiverse children," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 161-180, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:32:y:2025:i:1:p:161-180
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.13139
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anne O'Brien & Susan Liddy, 2021. "The price of motherhood in the Irish film and television industries," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(6), pages 1997-2009, November.
    2. Brandon, Peter, 2007. "Time away from "smelling the roses": Where do mothers raising children with disabilities find the time to work?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(4), pages 667-679, August.
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