Analysis of Parents' Metaphors Regarding the Concepts of Mother, Father, Child and Individual in Terms of Parental Involvement

Abstract

The present study explores parents' mental images and understandings of the concepts of "child," "individual," "mother," and "father" through metaphor analysis. The primary objective of this study is to uncover parents' implicit attitudes about these concepts in order to contribute to parental involvement initiatives undertaken by school leaders. The research was conducted with 174 parents. The metaphors were evaluated using content analysis method. A total of 468 codes were evaluated based on 10 themes, and the findings were interpreted in terms of parental involvement. The study presents several significant findings. Parents generated fewer metaphors for the concept of "individual" compared to "child," possibly influenced by collectivist tendencies. Both autonomy-enhancing and controlling parenting tendences were revealed about parents' attitudes. Metaphors that reflect controlling tendences downplay individuals' unique traits, reflecting the emphasis on community needs in collectivist societies. Metaphors related to motherhood emphasize nurturance and sacredness, while those related to fatherhood highlight protection and guidance, aligning with cultural gender roles. There is less emphasis on the loving aspect of parenting. Overall, these findings can be utilized by educational leaders and researchers working in similar domains, providing valuable insights into parental perspectives and contributing to the enhancement of parental involvement practices.