Unmarried women’s ways of facing single motherhood in Sri Lanka – a qualitative interview study

Abstract

BackgroundIn Sri Lanka, motherhood within marriage is highly valued. Sex out of wedlock is socially unacceptable and can create serious public health problems such as illegal abortions, suicide and infanticide, and single motherhood as a result of premarital sex is considered shameful. The way unmarried women facing single motherhood reflect on and make use of their agency in their social environments characterised by limited social and financial support has consequences for the health and well-being of both themselves and their children. The aim of this study was to explore and describe how unmarried women facing single motherhood in Sri Lanka handle their situation.MethodsThis qualitative study comprised semi-structured interviews with 28 unmarried pregnant women or single mothers. The data were analysed by qualitative content analysis and the results related to the conceptual framework of social navigation.ResultsThe women facing single motherhood expressed awareness of having trespassed norms of sexuality through self-blame, victimhood and obedience, and by considering or attempting suicide. They demonstrated willingness to take responsibility for becoming pregnant before marriage by giving the child up for adoption, bringing up the child themselves, claiming a father for their child, refraining from marriage in the future, permanently leave their home environment, and taking up employment. Throughout the interviews, the women expressed fear of shame, and striving for familial and societal acceptance and financial survival.ConclusionsA social environment highly condemning of unmarried motherhood hindered these women from making strategic choices on how to handle their situation. However, to achieve acceptance and survival, the women tactically navigated norms of femininity, strong family dependence, a limited work market, and different sources of support. Limited access to resources restricted the women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, including their ability to make acceptable and healthy choices for themselves and their children.

Negotiating Respectability: Migrant Women Workers’ Perceptions of Relationships and Sexuality in Free Trade Zones in Sri Lanka

“…Abortion seekers in Colombo revealed that seeking abortion was in conflict with their personal will and moral ideals, but it was carried out to protect their own and their families' reputation (Olsson & Wijewardena, 2010). Infanticide and suicide (Jordal et al, 2013;Marecek, 2006) are other routes for unmarried women to escape disclosure of premarital sex and minimize the damage to their respectability.…”

“…The contradictions between the symbolic values of respectability and the emotional values of romance and intimacy constitute a detrimental SRHR risk for the migrant women. Difficulties in handling these contradictions are likely to contribute to unwanted pregnancies, illegal and unsafe abortions (Thalagala, 2010), unwanted adoptions or stigmatized motherhood (Jordal et al, 2013), infanticide (Jayasinghe, 2012), or suicide (Marecek, 2006).…”

“…Sexual differences, gender inequality, and health consequences are social constructions, generated in practices that address, shape, and modify the gender structures (Connell, 2012). Due to low use of contraceptives in premarital sexual relations (Gubhaju, 2002), unmarried women face risks of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, forced adoptions, or stigmatized single motherhood (Jordal, Olsson, & Wijewardena, 2013). Gender-based violence (Perera, Gunawardane, & Jayasuria, 2011) and self-harm related to accusations of sexual disrespectability among young women are also reported throughout the country (Marecek, 2006).…”

Routine Maternal Depression Screening in Pediatrics

“…The goals of these researcher included profiling children with mental health problems, to identify related disparities, and to quantify the identification of family burdens. Jordal M et al [21] Unmarried women's ways of facing single motherhood in Sri Lanka -a qualitative interview study.…”

Respectability and rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights of Sri Lankan women formerly involved in prostitution

“…Respectability for Sri Lankan women's social acceptance and economic survival is essential and has been demonstrated in several studies (Ruwanpura 2006;Hewamanne 2007;Olsson and Wijewardena 2010;Jordal, Wijewardena, and Olsson 2013). It also plays a role in marginalised women's negotiation of SRHR (Jordal et al 2014).…”