Acting Within the Context of Conceptual Invisibility. How Non-Biological Lesbian Mothers Experience Motherhood Cover Image

O działaniu w ramach konceptualnej niewidzialności. Przykład badań nad macierzyństwem jednopłciowym w doświadczeniu matek niebiologicznych
Acting Within the Context of Conceptual Invisibility. How Non-Biological Lesbian Mothers Experience Motherhood

Author(s): Magdalena Fronczek-Wojciechowska
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Family and social welfare
Published by: Uniwersytet Łódzki - Wydział Ekonomiczno-Socjologiczny
Keywords: Same-Sex Motherhood in Poland; Non-Biological Mothers’ Experiences; Conceptual Invisibility; Legal Status and the Context of Fear; Visibility vs. Invisibility in Public Sphere

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to analyze—through the eyes of non-biological lesbian mothers who, according to Polish law, are related to neither their partners nor children—the everyday life of same-sex couples raising a child conceived within the relationship at hand. It has been emphasized how women under study experience the conceptual non-existence of “ready-made” role scripts—coupled with internalized heteronormativity—they cannot refer to while constructing acting strategies to be displayed in public sphere, and possible results thereof. The way women under study see themselves within the context of acting under unfavorable socio-cultural climate and conceptual invisibility outlines the broader analytical framework of how they build interactional concepts, as well as the experiences of motherhood. It is thus important to elucidate how they understand certain acting strategies they engage in public sphere—i.e., demonstrating and acting on a false invisibility basis—since, notwithstanding these are aimed at protecting them from anticipated symbolic violence, engaging in some actions conceptually corresponding to such goal may in fact—unintentionally—impact upon maintaining the norms they find unfair.

  • Issue Year: XI/2015
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 114-145
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: Polish
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