Neighborhood at your Fingertips: Transforming Community Online through a Canadian Social Networking Site for Mothers

Abstract

Local geographical communities have changed significantly in the last several decades due to a number of cultural factors, including women's increased participation in the paid workforce and growing rates of single parenthood. Changing communities have resulted in increased social isolation for mothers raising young children, which often means a lack of vital social support, particularly from other mothers. The current research addresses this contemporary challenge by exploring the role of a Canadian social networking site for mothers, namely, Momstown. ca, in providing online social support to mothers. In particular, the study

‘A Whole New World’: Mothers' Technologically Mediated Leisure

“…The divisions between private and public, individual and collective, are ultimately disrupted through individual women connecting to a community of other women online-a central recognition within cyberfeminism's potential Downloaded by [University of Otago] at 10:55 30 July 2015 for positive transformation (Daniels, 2009). When women feel a sense of community and support, as the mothers in our study overwhelmingly reported (Parry et al, 2013;Valtchanov et al, 2014), women can develop genuine connections and can be more honest, because they do not feel judged (Ley, 2007). The unique dual focus of Momstown, both online and physical connections, facilitated a distinct form of mothers' mediated leisure that promoted an environment of support and nonjudgment.…”

“…Recent research has clearly demonstrated that mothers want to share their experiences and concerns by connecting online with other mothers who can provide social connections, advice, support, and empowerment (Ley, 2007;Madge & O'Connor, 2006;Moravec, 2011;Valtchanov, Parry, Glover, & Mulcahy, 2014). These online connections create a profound sense that mothers are not alone-a message that is "more than a lifeline; it's a revolution" (Samuel, 2011, p. xii).…”

“…Other mothers appreciated being able to connect with mothers online while they were "stuck at home" due to children's nap schedules, bad weather, or any number of other factors. These daily technologically mediated experiences contribute to reducing social isolation, an experience reported by many new mothers (Parry et al, 2013;Valtchanov et al, 2014).…”

“…In a Canadian context, nearly 60% of mothers visit SNSs daily, often to keep in touch with friends (Canadian Digital Mom, 2012). Mothers' desire to seek connections online is not only due to the benefits of social support and friendships but also because of the distinct ease, convenience, and speed of online connections (Valtchanov et al, 2014). Online convenience may be especially important given the time pressure many mothers experience, which often means their time for leisure is unpredictable and fragmented, making it difficult to plan and pursue activities outside the home (Hilbrecht, 2013).…”

“Someone's generosity has formed a bond between us”: Interpersonal relationships in Internet‐facilitated peer‐to‐peer milk sharing

“…It has long been recognised that individuals can meet on the Internet and form close relationships. However, such relationships are often developed through an extensive period of online communication and in groups where the purpose is the facilitation of interpersonal support (e.g., Valtchanov, Parry, Glover, & Malcahy, ).…”