This critical ethnographic study explores couples experiences of spousal support during the transition to first-time parenthood and the organization of paid and family work. How first-time parents manage paid and family work is central to the experience of support and critical to an ongoing nurturing relationship. Seven couples were selected from the principal study, Mobilizing Intergenerational Social Support during the Transition to Parenthood, and were interviewed prior to the birth and again when infants were nine months to one year of age. On the whole, first-time parents reported positive support experiences with their spouses. Nonsupport occurred most often when parents were required to manage the interface between family work and paid or student work. The exchange of support between first-time parents may be strengthened by offering flexible work options and enhanced access to and provisions in parental leave policies. Prenatal education highlighting the common concerns of first-time parents may further strengthen support.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:AEU.10048/953 |
| Date | 06 1900 |
| Creators | Lemire, Shannon |
| Contributors | Kushner, Kaysi (Faculty of Nursing), Breitkreuz, Rhonda (Department of Human Ecology), Richter, Solina (Faculty of Nursing) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 924535 bytes, application/pdf |
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