Factors affecting the unmarried mother's status decision

Abstract

The interrelated problems of illegitimacy and unmarried motherhood have long been attracting considerable public concern and academic scrutiny. The unmarried mother is traditionally presented as a wayward, "unhappy and neurotic girl who seeks through the medium of an illegitimate baby to find an answer to her own unconscious conflicts and needs "(Young, 1947). Both researchers and social workers tended to affirm Young's observation but cautioned against the obvious danger of stereotyping. Indeed, others have challenged the old idea of the "typical" unmarried mother, in the light of recent social and attitudinal changes, as well as the increasing incidence of the phenomenon into all classes of society. According to research findings both at home and abroad, there are substantial familial, personal and psychological differences between those unmarried mothers who keep their children and those who relinquish them for adoption. Invariably, women who surrendered their out-of-wedlock children were reported to be more "mature" and "realistic", whereas those who kept were generally viewed with some disfavour. Indeed, the decision to keep is not made in isolation, but is an intricate composite of numerous factors, particularly the mother's personality and psychological make-up, her familial background, past experiences, and their relation to the situation at hand. In the thesis, a brief study is made of three factors (personal/familial background, circumstances surrounding conception, relationship with the putative father) that affect the unmarried mother's decision about her baby. Twenty women (10 Pakehas, 5 Maoris, 5 Islanders) between the ages of 18 and 25 were interviewed. Findings indicated that proportionally more Pakeha unmarried mothers came from one-parent homes with favourable maternal and sibling influences. Familial aid and support prompted their decision to keep. Those who came from unhappy two-parent homes, on the other hand, kept their babies regardless of parental attitudes and absence of help. All Maori and Island respondents were once members of intact two-parent homes; death, rather than legal separation or divorce was the cause for breakage in the family unit. Maori unmarried mothers were strongly urged to keep their babies by their own parents who were willing to adopt the babies themselves, should the unmarried mother decide to relinquish. The Island unmarried mothers in the study all showed a strong cultural disposition towards keeping their children, supported by relational aid. Circumstances that surrounded the conception also played a part in the decision to keep. The majority of respondents were residing away from home during the incident and were involved with some stressful event that made them unusually reactive. In most cases, Island and Maori unmarried mothers were cohabiting with their sexual partners during the illegitimate conception with a view of marriage in the future. Generally, all respondents had some form of steady association with the putative fathers of their children, but only 10 percent described their relationship as a "love relationship". Seventy percent of Pakeha respondents frankly admitted that they wanted a child for private reasons and got pregnant to "restore" a dying relationship and to "get" their man. Most Maori and Island unmarried mothers tended to regard their sexual partners with some affection and respect. In conclusion, unmarried mothers who decide to keep their babies are influenced by a variety of factors. Some keep to fulfil certain basic needs, whilst others are motivated by cultural expectations, maternal feelings, favourable economic and/or familial circumstances. Though findings obtained from the thesis are by no means conclusive or adequate, due to the limited sample and crude methodology, there is however, enough evidence to suggest that: a) Unmarried mothers are a heterogeneous group of individuals with different needs, abilities and experiences b) The decision to keep or relinquish is a difficult and emotionally charged process. The social worker can play a vital role in this by providing a professional framework in which a sound decision can be made.