LIVED PSYCHOSOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF MOTHERS HAVING ONLY DAUGHTERS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

This study investigates the lived psychosocial experiences of mothers having only daughters in a patriarchal society where sons are culturally preferred as family leaders and symbols of social prestige. Grounded in Patriarchal theory the research examines how societal norms, internalized gender biases, and familial pressures shape these mother’s emotional and psychological struggles, including feelings of guilt, shame, social stigma, and strained mother-daughter relationships. The study employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the subjective experiences of 8 daughter’s mothers selected through purposive sampling. Findings reveal that these mothers face significant societal and familial challenges but also demonstrate resilience through coping mechanisms such as faith, social support networks, and empowering relationships with their daughters. This research contributes to understanding the impact of patriarchal values on maternal well-being and highlights pathways for promoting gender equity and psychological support for affected mothers.