4.4 Exercises
In the previous two modules, we explored the lives of women struggling with substance use and abuse in their relationships.
- What are some of the other "high risk" issues that can make being pregnant or having a baby or young children additionally challenging?
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- What do you know about how the links between some of these issues play out in women's lives?
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- While we, as health-care or other service providers, may only come into contact with women when they become pregnant, such issues are often present in women's lives before the pregnancy.
How might a woman facing a number of these issues feel when she finds out she's pregnant?
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- Clearly women in high risk situations react to news of their pregnancy in a range of ways. Like any woman finding out she's pregnant, part of the trepidation may be in living up to the ideals of motherhood held in our society.
Describe the 'perfect' mother?
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- On the flip side, another part of the anxiety for women around being pregnant may be due to potential judgment or stereotyping around the issues they are facing. What are some of the judgments/stereotypes about women who are pregnant or parenting and facing some of the high risk issues named above?
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Women obviously know that these stereotypes and judgments are being made about them. How might that make them feel?
Does it help them to have a healthier pregnancy?
Researcher Allison Lyons doesn't think either the stereotype of the 'traditional mother' or the 'junkie mother' are very useful in understanding or support women who are parenting while struggling with their use of substances. She instead introduces the concept of the 'capable mother'. Read the article below and answer the questions below:
How does the 'discourse' of the 'traditional' and the 'junkie' mother hinder women's ability to parent?
How can we use the discourse of the 'capable' mother to support women's capacity to parent?
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