This study explores the parenting discourse of mothers of young children. Ten mothers with young children aged 0 to 5 years living in H-city, Gyeonggi-do, participated in this study. Data were collected through interviews with the mothers. The results...
This study explores the parenting discourse of mothers of young children. Ten mothers with young children aged 0 to 5 years living in H-city, Gyeonggi-do, participated in this study. Data were collected through interviews with the mothers. The results were analyzed using a general qualitative research process. The findings can be summarized as follows: First, there is a need for joint parenting between husband and wife. Second, although parenting is a valued job, it requires sacrifices from mothers, leaving them with less time to enjoy their own lives. Third, mothers experience burnout and guilt due to work overload related to parenting. Fourth, society has a negative perception of parenting. Fifth, fathers have a lack of understanding of child development. Sixth, the participants requested reduced work hours, access to parental leave, and financial support. These findings suggest that caring for young children should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of women, men, or parents, but rather as a matter of social and political concern and support. The findings of this study can contribute to research on realistic support for mothers of young children by analyzing their discourses of childcare.