Parenting 1-2-3: Zimbabwean Mothers’ Expression of Maternal Warmth and Leadership in Masvingo Urban

Abstract

This study examined Zimbabwean mothers‘ expression of maternal warmth as leaders of their young children aged one to three years in Masvingo urban. The study was informed by Urie Bronfenbrenner‘s Ecological Systems theory. The study used a phenomenological descriptive survey design with an open-ended questionnaire and focus group interviews with thirty-eight purposefully selected mothers as data collection methods. The design facilitated to bring to the surface deep issues and to make the voices of the mother participants heard. To make sense of the collected data, the researchers applied the grounded theory of data analysis to identify five themes under which the results were presented and discussed. This study established that Zimbabwean mothers understand the provision of maternal warmth to young children as being extremely important. The mothers positively expressed warmth and love to their children under three years of age within a cultural perspective. The study established that the mothers created an upward parenting spiral by prioritizing things that made children feel loved and happy. It was established that children who feel loved were autonomous, happy, cooperative and lovable. Regarding strictness, the study found that mothers were firm and fare, displaying an authoritative parenting style where children‘s needs and support were met. This study recommends that parental education on expressing warmth to ensure holistic development for children aged one to three year is needed. The government through the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare should step up efforts to help capacitate mothers with entrepreneurship skills for them to acquire resources needed for their young children.