Between Webs of Obligation: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Mothers Serving in the Canadian Armed Forces

Abstract

With the increasing participation of women in the work force, the experiences of women in the military have generated interest in the work-family and military family literature. Furthermore, with the diverse composition of military personnel, the Canadian Armed Forces and others militaries are witnessing a growing number of their female population having to mediate between the roles and demands of motherhood and military life. However, the particular experiences of mothers in the military have not been well reflected in the literature. The military institution has unique characteristics that separate it from most other employers because it has a legal mandate that allows institutional needs to supersede those of its members and their families. The Canadian Armed Forces recognizes its impact on family life; however, it has paid little attention to the particular experiences of women as mothers. The knowledge and resources to guide social workers and educators with this client population is limited. The following study is located between the military as a place of work and family. Using interpretive phenomenological approaches, the study explores the lived experiences of ten mothers in the Canadian military as they mediate between multiple webs of obligation arising from their roles and mothers and soldiers.