Autobiographical Ethnography of Experiencing Discrimination in Parent-Child Relationships

Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore what the researcher experienced through the discriminatory parenting attitudes of parents and to examine the recovery process from the difficulties that arose as a result. Methods The researcher adopted autoethnography, a qualitative research method where personal experiences are contextualized within societal or communal frameworks, to describe experiences of discrimination and recovery in the relationship with their parents. To achieve this, they analyzed various sources such as memory data, recall data, interview data, and call records. Results Being the eldest, I always felt a sense of injustice about being born first, yet I made efforts to gain my parents' recognition despite this. The discriminatory parenting attitudes led to the development of low self-esteem, making me overly conscious of others' perceptions and craving validation from people, while internalizing a sense of shame. My faith, the support of my spouse, and the reflective experiences during graduate school helped me understand the meaning of existence and learn what it means to fully accept myself. Conclusions This study provides an in-depth understanding of the emotional and psychological difficulties that discriminatory parenting attitudes can impose on children. By exploring the recovery process, it aims to enhance our understanding of individuals who have experienced such attitudes and to offer therapeutic intervention methods for counseling.