‘Gendered self’: identity, symbolic violence and the transformative power of a community reflection programme on a group of mothers

Understanding how socially disadvantaged mothers construct their gendered identities and then re-construct them through participation in a reflective, community-based intervention is important if we are to understand how these groups of women can be better supported, in relation to the things they identify as important to them. Drawing on symbolic interactionism and Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic violence, the study shows how gendered self-concepts are shaped by experiences, exclusionary schooling, and normative social expectations. Based on qualitative interviews, the research reveals how internalised narratives of constraint, often reinforced by education and social institutions, can limit self-perception and agency. The paper introduces a new and novel conceptual model, the ‘Layered Gendered Self’, which theorises identity as socially scaffolded and relational, built through foundational, emotional, and aspirational layers. It demonstrates that gender-based spaces can challenge entrenched beliefs, foster solidarity, and support self-awareness. The findings contribute to theory of identity formation and suggest implications for how we understand the relationship between gender, schooling and community programmes.