Abstract
The diversity of contextual parenting practices and the role of cultural traditions in parenting does not receive adequate attention in the available literature in Bangladesh. This paper focuses on the protective parenting practices of two generations of Bangladeshi mothers. Following a hermeneutic phenomenological study design, 11 mothers and 11 maternal grandmothers were selected purposively from the Mirpur area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Informal observations before, during, and after the interviews supplemented data generation. Social insecurity was found to impact parenting, family lifestyles, children’s social lives, parents’ career, and financial planning. The predominant protective parenting practices involved chaperonage and chauffeuring, instilling fear, monitoring and selecting children’s friends, use of fire and traditional rituals, and saving money to protect young and adult children. Difference was found between the grandmother generation and the mother generation regarding their emphasis and mode of ensuring physical security although the protective parenting value was sustained. This study reveals the extent to which social insecurity impacts mothers’ lives. The findings draw attention to policymakers and implication bodies to take necessary actions for children’s free movement and socialization, and decrease parents’ stress in an effort to protect children from outdoor threats.
Presenters
Umme JasmineStudent, Ph.D., University of the Witwatersrand, Gauteng, South Africa Mzikazi Nduna
Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape, South Africa Busisiwe Nkala Dlamini
Senior Lecturer, Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Health Policies and Practices
KEYWORDS
Child protection, Protective parenting, Social context, Bangladesh, Security, Cultural beliefs
