Co-constructing parenthood in multiparty interaction: Orienting to parents’ rights and responsibilities to act on behalf of others

Abstract

Drawing on naturally occurring, multiparty interactional data involving parents, children, and third parties (e.g. friends and relatives), this conversation analytic study investigates how the status of ‘parent’ is co-constructed on a moment-by-moment basis in the course of everyday interaction. The analysis focuses on participant orientation to parents’ rights to act on behalf of their children and third parties, through which parental entitlements, responsibilities, and authority are invoked. Specifically, interaction participants orient to parents as having primary rights to know about their children, determine their courses of action, and take primary responsibilities for their behaviors. Parents also confirm and ratify these category ascriptions by acting on behalf of their children and third parties, demonstrating with actions that they are capable of carrying out their rights and responsibilities as parents. The findings shed light on how the practical relevance of the ‘parent’ membership shapes the sequential unfolding of multiparty interaction.