Thank
you for visiting my website. Of the five wonderful
women featured on this website, one is my dear Mum and the
remaining four are some of my closest friends. Our
pre-existing close relationship and trust has played
a vital part
both during the actual interviews and in the ongoing
co-operation received in bringing together these pages.
I
am eternally grateful to Julie, Zoe, Jean, Claire and Catherine
for giving up their precious time and sharing with me their
experiences, some happy and some, incredibly painful to recall.
Here
are just some of the interesting issues that were raised during
our interviews:
We
have talked about feelings of guilt; guilt
for
leaving
work
early due
to
childcare
committments
and
guilt
for being at home and not doing enough housework! Of
the two women whose own mothers worked while they were growing
up, they developed close bonds with their maternal grandmothers
who were their main carers.
The
main conclusion drawn by all interviewees was that
they all felt the need to be recognised and praised for what
they do and for their achievements.
As
anticipated, all women agreed that they felt they had little
time for leisure activities for them as individuals. However,
the overall feeling was that they are all very happy and content
with their lives and given the choice, would not wish to swap
them!
I
have endeavoured to represent these life stories as accurately as
possible. However, there have been obvious limitations which have
necessitated considerable editing of the transcripts in order for
them to remain workable within the context and space on these web
pages. Hence, I hope I will be forgiven for any inadvertent omissions.
I
hope you will have gained much enjoyment from viewing this web
site as I have had in constructing it.
May
2004.
Acknowledgements:
'Bulletin'
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, Issue 398, December 2003.
(see Annabel Harwood Trust picture under Catherine on Work and
Leisure section).
'Splash'
- Official Newsletter of Likisma Presentations Ltd. Issue 12, 2003.
(see Likisma picture under Julie on Work and Leisure section).
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