| Popis: |
While research on facial differences has burgeoned in recent decades, critical scholars note that the existing literature overemphasizes the negative impacts of living with a difference, and limits the discussion of individuals’ relationships. This paper reports on a qualitative study that explored the mother-daughter relationship when the daughter is living with a facial difference. Ten young women, age 13-22 with facial differences, and their mothers were interviewed. Mothers assumed a number of roles in their daughters’ lives, and communicated empowering messages to their daughters, so to afford them emotional armour in the face of marginalization. Mothers and daughters also demonstrated "exquisite attunement" in their relationship, respecting each other as interconnected beings and vital sources of learning and support. This model of the mother-daughter relationship not only serves to enrich the existing literature on facial differences, but presents alternative ways of conceptualizing and supporting individuals and families touched by facial difference. |
