Analysing of the emotions, thoughts and experiences of women who have children aged 0-1 within the framework of the concepts of feminine, femininity and motherhood in the context of psychoanalytic theory

The processes of motherhood, feminine, and femininity are challenging and need to be interpreted. In this context, in this study, the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of women with children aged 0-1 regarding motherhood, feminine, and femininity were examined in a psychoanalytical context. This study aims to understand the origins of women with children aged 0-1 in depth in the psychoanalytic context, based on their expressions of the changes, transformations, and perceptions they experience both physically and spiritually in the context of motherhood, feminine, and femininity. For the research, the sample was determined as female participants who have a child between the ages of 0-1, live in Istanbul, have at least an associate degree, have given birth to their first child, and are currently together and married to the father of their child. Thematic analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, was chosen to examine people's feelings, thoughts, and experiences in depth. In the study, one-time semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 participants. The data obtained from the interviews was analyzed in line with thematic analysis guidelines. Four main themes emerged in the analysis: "Women's Definitions of Their Mothers", "Toy Choices Women Made in Their Childhood to Build Femininity and Motherhood", "Menstruation as an Important Turning Point on the Way to Becoming a Woman and What It Makes Us Feel", "Emotions About the Motherhood Process", Thoughts and Experiences". Processes such as women's definitions of their mothers, the function of toys in building the process of motherhood and femininity, concerns about menstruation, birth in the motherhood process, the support of others, the definition of a good mother through sacrifice and restricting freedom, and the effect of motherhood on femininity and feminine were mentioned. The results of the research were discussed within the scope of the literature. Finally, in line with the results of the research, ideas that will contribute to the literature from the perspective of psychoanalytic theory are also shared.