Social Support for Two Generations of New Mothers in Selected Populations in Korea, Hong Kong, and the United States

Abstract

When a first child is born into a family, major changes occur in the lives of first time parents, and this is especially the case for new mothers. Previous research has illustrated that social support can help new mothers better understand and meet the demands of child care and parenting. In this study, the sources and types of social support reported by new mothers were compared to that of the grandmother in two generations of 301 mother-daughter pairs in three cultures (Korea, Hong Kong, and the United States). The results show that for young mothers in Korea, the primary source of support came from mothers or mothers-in-law; whereas the primary source of support for young mothers in both Hong Kong and the United States came from their husbands. The Korean data from the grandmothers reflects a patriarchal pattern, in that the husband’s mother provided the most support and help. This was not the case in Hong Kong or the United States. Content of support for new mothers (categorized into physical care, active interaction with the child, and emotional support) differed greatly by source of support (e.g. husband, mother, or mother-in-law) and by culture. These generational and societal differences are interpreted as reflecting both rapid social change and contrasting cultural emphases on marital and extended family relationships. Kin support is more evident in Korea, whereas in Hong Kong and the United States, the relationship between husbands and wives is emphasized.