Abstract
Purpose: This research study aimed to identify and describe the importance of cultural values and beliefs in shaping the experience of the transition to parenthood for new parents, in relation to marriage, birth and family life. Method: Qualitative research interviews were conducted on a convenience sample of young men (n=15), young women (n=15) and 10 older people selected from three regions of Jordan. All interviews were audio taped and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: The results revealed that culture has a major influence in structuring the experiences of the transition to parenthood in relation to marriage, birth and family life. Conclusion: Because of cultural limitations on young people, Jordanian young people feel completely “unprepared” for the transition to parenthood. This unpreparedness impacts on the whole experience of marriage, birth and family life. Preparing young adults for the transition to parenthood needs collaboration between all Institutions such as the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Health and the community services.
Highlights
The transition to parenthood has been studied from different cultures and from different perspectives
Given the absence of studies on how culture influences the transition to parenthood from different cultures, Arabic societies, the current study will add a new understanding of the influence of culture on the new parent’s experience of the transition to parenthood
This study found that young parents overall were frustrated with the lack of knowledge they have, which made them struggle during their transition to parenthood
Summary
The transition to parenthood has been studied from different cultures and from different perspectives. Our extensive search via the Health Systems Evidence (HSE) found that particular emphasis on social contexts and how the impact of parenthood on well-being depends on marital status, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status have been studied [1,2,3,4] Marital satisfaction across the transition to parenthood [5,6] its effect on the first-time parents’ postpartum changes in employment, child care, and housework responsibilities [6,7] Gender-role attitudes and behavior across the transition to parenthood [8] leep disruption and decline in marital satisfaction across the transition to parenthood [9]..Depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress across the transition to parenthood [10] Parental self-efficacy and stress-related growth in the transition parenthood [11].The previous work has failed to consider the cultural effect on the experience of the transition to parenthood. In the Middle Eastern countries, culture can have a major impact on life experiences such as the experience of the transition to parenthood. Given the absence of studies on how culture influences the transition to parenthood from different cultures, Arabic societies, the current study will add a new understanding of the influence of culture on the new parent’s experience of the transition to parenthood
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