Mom, I’m Home: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study of the Shared Experiences of Adults Who Had a Stay-at-Home Mother

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe adults’ childhood experiences with a stay-at-home mother in the Western United States. To date, related studies on stay-at-home mothering have focused almost exclusively on the outcomes for mother and child during the time they are living together. None have examined more closely the long-term effects that stay-at-home mothering may have on children after they reach adulthood. The researcher sought to better inform couples, therapists, practitioners, and society in general regarding some of the long-term effects of having a stay-at-home mother. The family systems theory, wherein the family unit and its members are found to influence one another in a cyclical way was the main theory that guided this study. Research questions focused on the descriptions and shared experiences of adults who had a stay-at-home mother, and the long-term benefits and drawbacks related to experiencing this phenomenon. For this study, 12 participants, including 6 men, and 6 women were selected to participate in a 4560-minute interview. During the interview, participants were invited to answer questions about their experience having a stay-at-home mother and how they believed those experiences influenced their everyday life as adults. Data were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed before shared themes were identified. Findings of the study revealed what appeared to be evidence of an array of advantages available short- and long-term for those experiencing this phenomenon. The disadvantages overall appeared to be minimal.