Re-Negotiating Self-Identity: Exploring the Role of Motherhood-Indicative Labels in Constructing Nigerian Mother’s Identity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Motherhood identities are affected by the life altering experience of childbirth. First-time mothers in Nigeria often experience an identity shift when close relatives consistently refer to them by motherhood-indicative labels. Adapting to these motherhood-indicative labels becomes a cultural requisite for mothers, while navigating the potential struggles of adapting to responsibilities can impact motherhood experiences. This project explores the motherhood experiences of 13 Nigerian mothers who live in Nigeria that have experienced the use of motherhood-indicative labels. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed. Identity Negotiation Theory (INT) was used to analyze how mothers negotiate their self-identity after birth amidst the use of motherhood-indicative labels. Themes and sub-themes discussed include identity (dis)connection (identity integration and dissented labels), embodied motherhood (contorted bodies, and bodies as worksites), and elasticity- negotiating the stretching of self (elasticity of identity, elasticity of skills and constant reminder of loss. The stories of the participants highlight the communication strategies mothers use to adapt to new motherhood identity and how they navigate social relations.