The communicative management of constrained autonomy during the transition to parenthood

The communicative management of changes in autonomy during the transition to parenthood was examined. Ten married couples were interviewed separately and together before and after the birth of a first child. The interviews were analyzed through two different interpretive methodologies: constant comparison of individual interview incidents and analysis of selected couple conversational excerpts. Constrained autonomy is influenced by increases in interdependence, unfulfilled pre‐birth expectations, and perceptual shifts regarding past autonomy. In addition, various interactional patterns manifested by spouses to mediate the autonomy for self and other during the transition to parenthood was examined. Finally, an analysis of how issues of autonomy reflect the problematics of expression and protection within close relationships was offered.