TABLE 3.

Summary of findings: Women’s conceptions of the family by cultural constructs.

		Cultural constructs
		Gender roles	Socio-economic status	Independence/interdependence
Conceptions of the family	Cohesion	Mutual respect and trust, supportive; women are selfless, loving, and affectionate.	Nuclear family, caring for one household	A sense of togetherness and love; affection for children, respect among the couple
		Women are drivers of cohesion.		Cohesion centers around the parent-child relationship, rather than the couple
		Women negotiate, compromise and sacrifice.
	Child as subsystem (healthy child)	No gendered expectations from children	Children are expected to survive rather than thrive	Expectations from children: morality, obedience, respect (Both autonomy and relatedness)
		Women are at the center of ensuring child’s happiness and well-being	Fear, worry about potential harm to children (sexual abuse/bullying)	Caring for the children is the hallmark of family life
			Mistrust anyone outside the nuclear family
	Parental subsystem	Mother = compassionate, primary caregiver; Father = disciplined, sets rules, meets material needs, low involvement.	Men work long hours to make ends meet, have no time for childcare, and have few hours at home.	“Our father” rather than a spouse
		Trying hard not to replicate own parents; fear of making mistakes and being an inadequate mother.
	Conflict	When things go wrong, it is the mother’s fault.	Need financial assistance and help with childcare, seek support from in-laws	Marital conflict over parenting styles and child discipline; disagreements should be kept private (away from children); in-laws may intervene.
	Control and family organization	Family rituals and daily practices to welcome the father in the evening.	Difficulties in setting boundaries with in-laws	Both gender hierarchy and generational hierarchy are present.
		Men and his family have control and power over the family.		Parental control and warmth are intertwined.