Stages of engagement in motherhood: three quests for recognition, balance and fulfillment
Based on the thematic analysis of 39 semi-structured interviews conducted with mothers from the Rimouski area as part of a broader sociography on the formation, development and aspirations of families with preschool-age children, this article focuses on the diversity of the ways in which mothers are engaged or committed. Three types of engagement paths are identified and confirm that the reality, desires and needs of mothers are neither homogeneous nor unchangeable even if they share similar age ranges, contexts of life and educational backgrounds.