Normative Experience

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Normative experiences are life events that typically happen in a person’s life course, for example marriage, birth of a child, death of family or friends, divorce, etc. In particular the experience of a child’s birth is not one everyone experiences, however it is a huge life alternating life event for those who do experience it. Brining a child into the world more often than not changes a person daily life and the course of their life long-term. Having a child is such an immense life change that it can shape people in many different ways. While having a child is a life changing experience, this encounter can also vary depending on the age a person has a child. Some people may have children very early on in their life course, while other have …show more content…

Erica and Nancy showed that there is different sides and experiences that people go through when they have children. While some may be more prepared for this particular normative experience like Nancy, others may not. I’ve learned that when a person has a child the main determinates that contribute how the experience will be for you are finances, social support, and overall maturity and being mentally ready to become a parent. What I learned from interviewing Erica that not only are finances essential in childbearing but also being mentally healthy. From Erica I learned that while superficially things seem okay and bills are getting paid, if a person is not ready to have a child they will mentally check out, become resentful, and even pass on their responsibilities to a parent or family member. This is likely a contributor in why there are many cases of kinship care with children of teen parents. From Nancy I learned that while money is not everything in this world, it does become a great tool when child bearing. Because of her stability Nancy was able to still have a good relationships with her husband since there weren’t any financial issues. In addition she was also able to live her life and have the best of both worlds, which was still keep her career and hire a nanny as well as be a mother. Nancy also taught me that social support is very much needed in order to not feel overwhelmed with your child. I noticed that this normative experience impacted these two people’s lives tremendously. While one seemed really happy and have it together, the other seemed lost and confused about her life.it was very clear that Nancy seemed to be in a better place emotionally then Erica. Erica’s demeanor when I asked her the questions seemed resentful yet

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