Reference no: EM133829025
Assignment:
Feminist Theory Case Study: Maria, a Single Mother
Maria (32) is a single mother working full-time as a marketing manager while pursuing a graduate degree in business administration. She faces ongoing stress balancing work, studies, and parenting her 7-year-old son, Johnathan. Her job requires her to be on-call frequently, and she often brings work home, leading to late nights and early mornings. Her graduate program is demanding, with extensive coursework, projects, and group assignments that require a significant time commitment. This leaves Maria with very little time for herself, resulting in chronic fatigue and burnout.
Maria feels isolated, as she believes societal expectations and traditional gender roles place an unfair burden on her. She often feels judged by her peers and family members, who imply that she should focus more on her role as a mother rather than her career and education. This societal pressure exacerbates her feelings of isolation and inadequacy, as she constantly questions whether she is doing enough for Johnathan or if she is falling short as a mother. Maria also struggles with guilt for not being able to attend all of Johnathan's school events or spend as much time with him as she would like.
She often questions her own self-worth and struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Despite her achievements in her career and academics, Maria has a persistent fear of failure and worries that she is not providing a stable and nurturing environment for Johnathan. Her self-doubt is compounded by her limited social support network; she has few close friends and family members to turn to for help or advice. This lack of support leaves her feeling overwhelmed and alone in her responsibilities.
Maria seeks counseling to address her stress, self-esteem issues, and the impact of these challenges on her relationship with Johnathan. She is particularly concerned about how her stress and emotional state might be affecting Johnathan, who has recently shown signs of anxiety and behavioral issues at school. Maria wants to develop healthier coping mechanisms, improve her self-esteem, and find ways to better manage her time and responsibilities. She also hopes to strengthen her bond with Johnathan by being more present and emotionally available for him, despite her demanding schedule.
Through counseling, Maria aims to explore her feelings of inadequacy and learn strategies to build her self-confidence. She is also seeking practical advice on balancing her various roles without compromising her well-being or her relationship with her son. Maria's ultimate goal is to build a more balanced and fulfilling life for herself and a supportive, loving environment for Johnathan.
Question Prompts
- Reflect on the gender roles and societal expectations. How do societal expectations and traditional gender roles contribute to Maria's stress and feelings of inadequacy? Consider how this impacts her self-perception. Regarding intersectionality, consider how Maria's identity as a single mother pursuing a graduate degree intersect with other aspects of her life.
- Consider the concepts of empowerment and agency. In what ways can feminist theory help Maria understand her experiences and enhance her sense of empowerment and agency? Reflect on how feminist principles can be used to support Maria's self-efficacy and personal growth.