Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Visual impairment is a decreased ability to see it intervene in human function. In cases of mothers who have this disability, they can hardly do work without guidance and most of all rearing a child. Visual Impairment comes with different challenges in one’s life. In this study, these are the working mothers who have visual difficulties with responsibilities in work and in rearing a child. This study specifically aims to discover the challenges and coping mechanics of visually impaired working mothers on child rearing. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used and the gathered data from the participants were transcribed and analyzed through thematization. “Close nurturers” was the overarching theme extracted from the experience of mothers who are blind, which emerged from four themes: monitoring by alternative senses, discovering the child’s intentions, parenting anxiety, and deficits in communication. Their transition to parenthood seems relatively conventional despite their visual impairment, and mothers have mostly “detached” attachment representations, with a need for independence. However, the need for social support proves to be of great importance.