日本のシングルマザーの子育てにおける語りと社会的現実

Child-rearing Narratives and Social Realities of Japanese Single Mothers

要旨

　目的：本研究の目的は、日本におけるシングルマザーが生きる“社会的現実”と彼女らの強みについて記述することである。

　方法：研究参加者は、2006年〜2008年に個人あるいはグループインタビューに参加した9人のシングルマザーである。“社会構成主義”を理論的基盤とし、“ナラティヴ生成質問”を通して彼女らの経験を聴いた。フィールドノートから研究疑問への応えとなるナラティヴを抽出し、解釈した。

　結果：母親たちの“社会的現実”として、（1）異性に対して清くなければ社会に受け入れられない　（2）子どもたちに心配させてしまう　（3）家族の事情を打ち明けるか隠すか、ダブルバインド状況　（4）過去の人間関係を振り返りつつ現在の親子関係をつくりあげる　（5）自らの経験は柔軟に潔く意味づけるしかない　（6）日々の困難には自分なりのやり方で対処する、が抽出された。強みとして、（1）アイディアをわかちあい、助けを借りることができる　（2）子どもたちと親密な関係を築いている　（3）ライフストーリーを書き換える力をもつ（4）人との関係性の中で自分のアイデンティティを柔軟に規定できる、が見出された。

　結論：このナラティヴ研究によって、シングルマザーの社会的現実と強みが提示された。

Abstract

　Aim: The number of single-mother families in Japan has recently increased. The purpose of this study was to describe the "social realities"(views, opinions, values, and beliefs constructed through social interactions by single mothers) and the strengths in them of Japanese single-mother families, as noted through their narratives and conversations.

　Method: The participants were nine single mothers who consented to personal interviews or attended group conversations during the study period of 2006-2008. The theoretical base of this study is "social constructionism." Each participant was asked to narrate her experience of daily living as a "narrative-generating question." From the field notes, we extracted narratives that might provide answers to our research questions.

　Results: The following six main "social realities" emerged in terms of Japanese single mothers:(1)being accepted by society only if they were well behaved toward men,(2)make their children worry about the mothers' suffering,(3)a double bind whether should disclose or not-disclose about family realities,(4)make their present mother-child relationships by reflecting their previous human relationships,(5)being required flexibility and enterprise in giving meaning to their experiences, and (6)have to make their way for coping some difficulties in their daily lives. The strengths of single mothers are (1)being able to share ideas with others and accept others' help,(2)being able to maintain close relationships with their children,(3)being able to revise their life stories, and (4)being able to become flexible in relationships.

　Conclusion: This study proposed some social realities experienced by Japanese single mothers and their recognized strengths through narrative research.