 Abstract | The basis for both feminist theory and attachment theory is human experience.
Attachment theory looks at the development of the self in relationship. Feminism is
concerned with women's relationship with self and others, the environments and the
structures of societies. In this thesis I am particularly concerned with the experience
of formation of relationships between women and babies in domestic violence. As
such, knowledge from both fields is of value.
Feminist theory, informed by women's experience, underpins my knowledge of the
effects of domestic violence on women and babies. Attachment theory, which
focuses on the needs of babies in relation to their primary attachment figure,
underlies the deliberation in this thesis. Research into the formation of relationships
between women and their babies in domestic violence situations has, until now, been
mainly within the positivist paradigm of attachment theory. As such there is a gap in
knowledge about the formation of primary relationships sourced from the lived
experiences of women who have mothered babies in domestic violence situations.
To acquire data from women's lived experiences, including their emotional
experiences, I look to feminist standpoint theory to support a research design based
in empowering relationships. Within a communicative space based in caring which
established safety in trusting relationships, with and between participants, I use
evolving and creative methods of data collection. In this way I bring deep and rich
data based on the experiences of women to light so that policy and practice can be
informed through women's knowledge. Simultaneously, the methodology and
methods used enable the empowerment of participants.
Through analysis of the data collected it becomes clear that women form
relationships with their babies in domestic violence within an environment of
sustained hostility created by their abusive partners. In response to this environment
women seek to protect their babies in a myriad of ways not recognised when
traditional methods of enquiry are applied. Protection of their babies was of
paramount importance to the women in my study and I contest that in domestic
violence primary relationships may be based in protection rather than attachment.
However, the space to spend peaceful time relating to their babies was often
constricted because of partner' antagonism towards the woman's focus on the baby.
Although several women found ways to surreptitiously attain relational space with
their babies others were prevented from doing so. All of the women saw relational
space as important for their babies and themselves but all prioritised protection of
their babies and they developed the relationship with their babies from that
foundation.
The implications for policy and service provision that unfold from my enquiry
highlight a need to work from a new paradigm when engaging with women and their
babies and children in and after domestic violence. This paradigm utilises a strengths
perspective to enquire about contexts, focus on protective feelings, thoughts and
actions and to work across disciplines and services to make spaces available so that
women and babies can relate in peace and safety. |
