Articles

Unseen? A qualitative study on how mothers and fathers living with a visual impairment experience parenthood

Authors: Jentel Van Havermaet (a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:1:" ";}) , Elisabeth De Schauwer , Geert Van Hove

Abstract

It is barely taken into account that a visually impaired child might one day become a parent. Research on the insider perspectives of parents on parenting with a visual impairment is scarce. This exploratory study reports on how six mothers and seven fathers living with a visual impairment experience parenthood. An individual or paired open interview, followed by qualitative content analysis, captured their multi-layered and personal lived experiences on parenting. Analysis of the data collected revealed three themes: the actual practices of daily parenting as an exploration of a personal and unique toolbox for each parent; a parental urge to prove themselves to overcome extra doubts, pressure and othering; and the relational work of parents with their partner and child(ren).

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How to Cite: Van Havermaet, J. , De Schauwer, E. & Van Hove, G. (2021) “Unseen? A qualitative study on how mothers and fathers living with a visual impairment experience parenthood”, DiGeSt - Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies. 7(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/digest.v7i2.17565