Motherless Daughters: Understanding the Emotional Impact
A daughter without her mother is a woman broken. It is a loss that turns to arthritis and settles deep into her bones. ― Kristin Hannah, Summer Island
Losing a mother is a profound loss that can have a significant impact on a daughter’s life (Bowlby, 1980). The loss of a mother can occur in various ways, such as through death, separation, or divorce. While the experience of mother loss is unique to each individual, several common themes have emerged in the literature. Motherless daughters may experience a range of emotions, such as grief, anger, and confusion, which can affect their emotional, psychological, and social well-being (Institute of Medicine, 1984).
Defining Motherless Daughters
Motherless daughters are women who have experienced the loss of their mother due to death or absence, such as a mother who is not physically or emotionally present. The term “motherless” does not necessarily refer to women who have never had the experience of knowing their mother (although this is one example), but rather those who have lost their mother at some point in their lives. Thus, this label encompasses a broad range of personal experience that is at once individualized and yet has common elements. The loss of a mother is a unique and profound experience that will reverberate through a woman’s life at…
