Paper short abstract:

The Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative is a life-course trial on early life period from preconception to early childhood. We explore social representations of motherhood in women participating in the trial, giving voice to their narratives on how becoming a mother influenced one's sense of self.

Paper long abstract:

The Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative is a life-course trial that tests whether interventions in the early life period from preconception to early childhood might impact on both maternal and child wellbeing. Working with HeLTI South Africa, the nested Trajectories study aims to build effective and socially responsive life course interventions. In this paper we present qualitative longitudinal research conducted in two waves of field work with 60 and 45 women, enrolled in the HeLTI Trial in Soweto, South Africa. If becoming a mother generate expectations and have become complex and paradoxical, motherhood though, is a social construction, therefore, we explore social representations and perceptions of motherhood, giving voice to women’s narratives on how becoming a mother influenced one's sense of self, personal aspirations, and life goals. In contrast to the scientific notion of ‘intergenerational transmissions’ that shapes maternal and child health policies focused on preconception and maternal behaviors. We are concerned with how young women understand intergenerational relations. We provide a nuanced picture of what constitutes family, kin and care in this specific context. These insights are crucial if scientific research and policy is to be contextually responsive.