The meaning of guilt: A phenomenological description of employed mothers' experiences of guilt

Abstract

This article discusses the structure and content of the phenomenon of guilt based on the experience of 13 working mothers. Using a phenomenological approach, the researcher has analyzed the women's descriptions of guilt situations and presents the constituent component of the guilt phenomenon. The most salient feature of these women's descriptions of guilt is their strong, repetitive, everyday character. The phenomenon of guilt contains a general feeling of responsibility especially towards the children. Feelings of guilt arise when the women interprets a situation in terms of failure in responsibility. The sense of failure in responsibility arise in situations when she lacks real control over the demands made on her from different spheres of life or in situations where she exhibits an assertive behavior where she puts the responsibility for herself and her own needs foremost. The phenomenon of guilt contains certain elements of shame, aggression and vagueness in communication.