Social support in the process of household reorganization after divorce

Gasse, Dries Van; Mortelmans, Dimitri

doi:10.1177/0265407520910268

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Regarding practitioners and people who work with single mothers after divorce, it is important to focus on motherhood ideologies. When people are reorganizing their lives after divorce, it is not only important to look at changes in household routines, but also at their role aspirations as a mother (Van Gasse and Mortelmans 2020a, 2020b, 2020c. Motherhood ideologies partially reflect the motherhood aspirations of single mothers, and this is also an important aspect in their transition to single parenthood (Taylor 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single Mothers’ Perspectives on the Combination of Motherhood and Work

Gasse

Mortelmans

2020

Social Sciences

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This study aims to define the perspectives taken by single mothers when combining work and motherhood in a stressful work–life constellation. One of the challenges for single mothers after divorce is to find a work–life balance in their single-parent family system. Regarding work-life balance, we take a General Strain Perspective, describing the work-life conflict as a combination of financial strain and role strain. We argue that both strains are the most problematic for single mothers in comparison to their married and/or male counterparts, as both finances and parenthood ideologies are more under pressure. For this reason, we explore how single mothers coped with this strain, answering the question: ‘Which perspectives on the combination motherhood and work do single mothers take in their attempt to balance role strain and financial strain after divorce?’ To answer this research question, we used a qualitative approach, based on 202 in-depth interviews with single mothers in Belgium. These interviews involved two groups: A primary research population of 13 single mothers and an elaborative research population of 189 single mothers. Timelines were used to structure the single mothers’ narratives. The analysis resulted in the contruction of a typology of four different perspectives based on how single mothers dealt with maternal role strain and financial strain: the re-invented motherhood perspective, the work-family symbiosis perspective, the work-centered motherhood perspective and the work-family conflicted perspective. We found that perspective of single mothers in their work-life strain can be described by the flexibility and/or strictness in either their motherhood ideology and/or their work context. These results point at the needs for policymakers, employers, and practitioners to focus on initiatives improving the work–life balance of single mothers by reducing financial and role strains.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single Mothers’ Perspectives on the Combination of Motherhood and Work

Gasse

Mortelmans

2020

Social Sciences

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“…Although the benefit of healthy routines in families is clear, the development and maintenance of those routines can pose challenges that require considerable effort to address. For example, low-income mothers have been found to use substantial resources to protect family routines in unpredictable circumstances (Roy et al, 2004), and in divorced families, parents strive to re-establish effective routines (Van Gasse & Mortelmans, 2020). According to family systems theory, parents are the hierarchical leaders of the family; however, interdependence within families suggests that all family members, including children, have input in the management of routines, particularly when family boundaries allow for ample communication between parent and child subsystems (Minuchin, 1974).…”

Section: The Role Of Routines In Family Organization and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Routines and coparenting as interrelated family management systems

Petren

Puhlman

2021

J of Family Theo & Revie

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This article presents a conceptual model drawing from family systems theory that focuses on the intersection of coparenting and routine development and maintenance as a key process in family management. The importance of both coparenting and routines for family management has been clearly articulated in the literature; however, how they impact one another and work together in family management has not been conceptualized. After briefly reviewing the literature, we articulate a model of family management that includes the establishment, monitoring, and adjustment of routines, orchestrated by the coparental subsystem. We then explore the intersection of coparenting and routine development, examining how both systems of family management influence each other. We argue that when coparenting and routines work effectively together, the result is greater levels of family integrity and continuity. Finally, we provide suggestions for further empirical work and practical implications.

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