Published May 16, 2023
| Version 1
Journal article
Open
Dynamics of single mothers' semantic strategies in Anglophone non-fiction
Description
The article discusses how the increasing number of self-help books for single mothers is meeting the demand for positive narratives about their experiences, which are often stereotyped in the media. The books offer a powerful tool for self-reflection, and critical discourse analysis reveals semantic strategies that authors use to construct, negotiate, and reframe single motherhood. The authors aim to challenge societal expectations and redefine what constitutes a family. There are still conflicting messages that perpetuate negative stereotypes and stigmas about single mothers, creating an identity crisis. The seven principal semantic strategies applied in the texts include reframing, renaming, normalization, direct or indirect confrontations, distinctions, self-labelling, and vernacular. By using semantic strategies, authors aim to empower single mothers, challenge negative stereotypes, and create a sense of community. While there are limitations to the self-help genre, it remains a powerful tool for self-reflection, self-empowerment, and the construction of identity.
Files
openreseurope-3-16993.pdf
Files
(548.1 kB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:d748c9332bc047ba00bbab55dcffc628
|
548.1 kB | Preview Download |
Additional details
References
- Adams J (2011). Complete Guide for New Single Moms.
- Archibald M (2007). The Evolution of Self-help. doi:10.1057/9780230609624
- Bailey R (2018). Motherhood My Way: Becoming a Single Mother by Choice.
- Bock JD (2000). Doing the Right Thing?: Single Mothers by Choice and the Struggle for Legitimacy. Gender & Society. doi:10.1177/089124300014001005
- Brockes E (2018). An Excellent Choice: Panic and Joy on My Solo Path to Motherhood.
- Brown AE (2019). The Single Mother's Diary: 10 Women Who Have Defied the Odds of One Parent Homes.
- Carvalho A (2008). Media(Ted) Discourse and Society. Journal Stud. doi:10.1080/14616700701848162
- Cherry S (2008). The Ontology of a Self-Help Book: A Paradox of Its Own Existence. Soc Semiot. doi:10.1080/10350330802217113
- Conteh-Mosere S (2017). Single Mother Breaking The Stereotype.
- Corder H (2009). The Successful Single Mom: Get Your Life Back and Your Game On!.
- Ebben M (1995). Off the Shelf Salvation: A Feminist Critique of Self-Help. Women's Studies in Communication. doi:10.1080/07491409.1995.11089792
- Edgar NL (2018). All Things Beautiful: 31 Devotions for Single Moms.
- Farr N (2017). I am the Parent Who Stayed: Joyfully parenting alone.
- Floch C (2014). The Single Mom's Devotional: A Book of 52 Practical and Encouraging Devotions.
- Golds A (2014). How To Be Your Own Boss As A Single Mum.
- Grodin D (1991). The Interpreting Audience: The Therapeutics of Self-Help Book Reading. Critical Studies in Mass Communication. doi:10.1080/15295039109366806
- Hanscome J (2016). Suddenly Single Mom: 52 Messages of Hope, Grace, and Promise.
- Hertz R (2006). Single by Chance, Mothers by Choice: How Women are Choosing Parenthood without Marriage and Creating the New American Family.
- Hudson H (2017). The Badass Single Mom's Survival Guide: 21 Life Hacking Tips.
- Isenhart D (2000). Surviving Single Parenting.
- Johnson E (2017). The Kickass Single Mom: Be Financially Independent, Discover Your Sexiest You and, Raise Fabulous, Happy Children.
- Kowalski S (2017). Motherhood Reimagined: When Becoming a Mother Doesn't Go As Planned.
- Letablier MT, Wall K (2018). Changing Lone Parenthood Patterns: New Challenges for Policy and Research.
- Mattes J (1997). Single Mothers by Choice: A Guidebook for Single Women Who Are Considering or Have Chosen Motherhood.
- Morrissette M (2008). Choosing Single Motherhood: The Thinking Woman's Guide.
- Nehring D, Alvarado E, Hendriks EC (2016). Transnational Popular Psychology and the Global Self-help Industry: The Politics of Contemporary Social Change. doi:10.1057/9780230370869
- Nickell A (2018). Confessions of a Single Mum: What It's Like When You're Expecting The Unexpected.
- Pagalday S (2019). Who Will Hold Me?: A Single Mother's Memoir of Self-Love, Empowerment and Freedom.
- Panettieri G, Hall PS (2008). The Single Mother's Guide to Raising Remarkable Boys.
- Reed S (2018). Fix It Jesus! For Single Moms Only: The Straightforward No-Nonsense Guide To Passion, Purpose, and Prayer.
- Renegar VR, Cole KK (2019). Evil Is Part of the Territory": Inventing the Stepmother in Self-Help Books. Women's Studies in Communication. doi:10.1080/07491409.2019.1660745
- Roberts G (2019). Going Solo: My Choice to Become a Single Mother Using a Donor.
- Salter E (2018). A Media Discourse Analysis of Lone Parents in the UK: Investigating the Stereotype.
- Seney-Williams K (2019). Surviving and Thriving on the Single-Parent Journey: A Step-by-Step Approach.
- Senters ML (2017). The Unseen Companion: God With the Single Mother.
- Simonds W (1992). Women and Self-help Culture: Reading between the Lines.
- Simonds W (1996). All Consuming Selves: Self-Help Literature and Women's Identities.
- Sloan L (2007). Knock Yourself Up: No Man? No Problem: A Tell-All Guide to Becoming a Single Mom.
- Smith V (2014). The Single Mum's Survival Guide: How to Pick Up the Pieces and Build a Happy New Life.
- Soiseth A (2008). Choosing You: Deciding to Have a Baby on My Own.
- Starker S (1990). Self-help books: Ubiquitous agents of health care. Medical Psychotherapy.
- Urban M (2006). Seventeenth-century Mother's Advice Books.
- Welch D (2019). Love Factually for Single Parents and Those Dating Them.
- Whitehurst T (2010). God Loves Single Moms: Practical Help for Finding Confidence, Strength, and Hope.