“It is not the end of my life”: positive identity (re)constructions among young mothers in rural South-Western Nigeria

Oluseye, Ayomide; Waterhouse, Philippa and Hoggart, Lesley (2024). “It is not the end of my life”: positive identity (re)constructions among young mothers in rural South-Western Nigeria. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 29(1), article no. 2301579.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2023.2301579

Abstract

Social norms around the timing of motherhood mean that young mothers are often viewed as different and negatively stereotyped. Drawing on data from South-Western Nigeria, this paper explores unmarried young women’s identity (re)construction in the context of the negative societal representations of young motherhood. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 young mothers, using photo-elicitation as a complementary method. The results revealed that despite facing social stigma, some young mothers were able to challenge negative societal stereotypes, reframe the challenges they faced as mothers and construct positive maternal identities for themselves. Our findings offer insights into the complex interplay between stigma and identity formation and provide recommendations for sustainable interventions and social support to empower young mothers in Nigeria.