Abstract
This research paper examines new mothers’ dependency on parenting social networking sites particularly Facebook in Malaysia by adopting the Individual Media Dependency theory. Due to the ambiguity of the phenomena of transitioning into parenting for new mothers, it is apparent that new mothers rely on parenting social networking sites for support and information. This research is based on parenting social networking sites in Malaysia namely The Breastfeeding Advocates Network and The Parenting Network. Findings from this research suggests that social environment, media systems activity and interpersonal network activity are fundamental intervening conditions in today’s new media environment to fulfil an audience’s goal-oriented needs of orientation, understanding and play.
Highlights
Post-pregnancy is one of the most challenging and daunting time in a mother’s life (Price et al, 2018)
Urban new mothers in parenting groups such as The Breastfeeding Advocates Network and The Parenting Network utilise these groups for better social understanding and self-understanding
According to Kim and Jung (2017), media audiences act as social curators, often obtaining information from various places to be channelled to social media platforms
Summary
Post-pregnancy is one of the most challenging and daunting time in a mother’s life (Price et al, 2018). New mothers are known to face challenges such as uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation (Barclay & Lloyd, 1996; Grant, McMahon, & Austin, 2008; Lupton, 2000; Nyström & Öhrling, 2004) upon giving birth to their first child. In trying times like these, new mothers are often seen to fall into depression and extreme stress (Archer & Kao, 2018). The first few months of motherhood brings great change as families adjusts into their new roles. This upheaval could lead to possible isolation and self-blame for not being able to cope with the demands of a new baby.
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