Odločanje za materinstvo pri mladih mamicah v ruralnem okolju

Maček, Nina (author), Gril, Alenka (mentor)

V diplomskem delu sem raziskovala izkušnjo materinstva mladih mater, ki živijo v ruralnem okolju. Zanimalo me je, kako so mlade ženske doživljale odločanje za materinstvo, kako so doživljale nosečnost in prve mesece po rojstvu otroka ter kakšno vlogo so pri tem imeli partnerstvo, družina, lokalno okolje in življenjske okoliščine. Posebno pozornost sem namenila vplivu ruralnega okolja na njihove odločitve, vsakdanje življenje in doživljanje materinske vloge. V teoretičnem delu so predstavljeni koncepti materinstva, zgodnjega materinstva, družinskih odnosov, psiholoških vidikov materinstva ter značilnosti življenja v ruralnem okolju. Empirični del temelji na kvalitativni raziskavi, v kateri sem uporabila metodo polstrukturiranega intervjuja. V raziskavo je bilo vključenih osem mladih mater, ki so ob rojstvu prvega otroka štele med 18 in 22 let, ter živijo na podeželju oziroma v manjših ruralnih skupnostih. so bile izbrane z neslučajnostnim priročnim vzorcem, saj sem jih poznala že pred izvedbo raziskave in so prostovoljno pristale na sodelovanje. Podatke sem analizirala s tematsko analizo. Rezultati raziskave kažejo, da je bila odločitev za materinstvo pri večini sogovornic povezana z željo po družini, stabilnim partnerskim odnosom in občutkom pripravljenosti na novo življenjsko vlogo. Pomembno podporo so predstavljali partnerji in širša družina, ki so mladim materam pomagali pri soočanju z izzivi zgodnjega materinstva. Intervjuvanke so kot prednosti življenja v ruralnem okolju izpostavljale bližino narave, občutek varnosti, povezanost skupnosti in ugodne pogoje za vzgojo otrok. Med izzivi so se pojavljali predvsem usklajevanje materinstva s študijem ali delom, prilagajanje novim odgovornostim ter obdobja čustvenih stisk in negotovosti po rojstvu otroka. Ugotovitve kažejo, da mlade matere materinstvo večinoma doživljajo kot pozitivno življenjsko izkušnjo, ki prispeva k njihovi osebni rasti, oblikovanju identitete in krepitvi družinskih odnosov.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: materinstvo, mlade matere, ruralno okolje, družinski odnosi, partnerstvo, socialna podpora, odločanje za materinstvo
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: FSD - Faculty of Social Work
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186122
• Publication date in RUL: 27.08.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Decision-Making for Motherhood among Young Mothers in Rural Areas

Abstract

The purpose of this bachelor's thesis was to explore the experiences of young mothers living in rural areas and their decision-making processes regarding motherhood. The study explored how young women experienced the decision to become mothers, how they perceived pregnancy and the first months after childbirth, and the role that partners, family members, the local environment, and life circumstances played in this process. Particular attention was given to the influence of the rural environment on their decisions, everyday lives, and experiences of motherhood. The theoretical part presents the concepts of motherhood, early motherhood, family relationships, psychological aspects of motherhood, and the characteristics of life in rural areas. The empirical part is based on qualitative research using semi-structured interviews as the data collection method. The study included eight young mothers living in rural areas and smaller rural communities who had their first child between the ages of 18 and 22. The participants were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling method, as they were known to the researcher prior to the study and voluntarily agreed to participate. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the decision to become a mother was, for most participants, closely connected to the desire to start a family, a stable partnership, and a sense of readiness for a new life role. Partners and extended family members provided an important source of support and helped young mothers cope with the challenges of early motherhood. The participants identified proximity to nature, a sense of safety, strong community ties, and favourable conditions for raising children as the main advantages of living in a rural environment. The challenges they highlighted included balancing motherhood with education or employment, adapting to new responsibilities, and coping with periods of emotional distress and uncertainty after childbirth. The results suggest that young mothers generally perceive motherhood as a positive life experience that contributes to personal growth, identity formation, and the strengthening of family relationships.

• Keywords: motherhood, young mothers, rural environment, family relationships, partnership, social support, decision-making for motherhood