Abstract
ICTs such as television, the Internet and mobile phones have assumed a growing presence within the modern households and have made an undeletable imprint on family dynamics and parenting. Though, several gender studies have vouched to understand ICT domestication from the perspective of mothers, however the influence of social and cultural factors on the adoption and appropriation of ICTs has not been as widely studied as expected by scholars in the field. Therefore, in order to better explicate the influence of socio-cultural factors on mothers' domestication of ICTs, this paper delves to explore how mothers incorporate ICTs into their household routines and how they utilize ICTs as they fulfil their matrimonial responsibilities in managing their homes, coordinating schedules, fostering family interaction and supervising their children. Also, the paper highlights on how mothers screen and oversee their children's ICT use. The paper argues that cultural conceptions of motherhood and maternal responsibility, the premium placed on academic achievement by children, as well as the society's highly positive outlook on technology, greatly influence how mothers use and supervise their children's use of ICTs. The chapter professes that the mothers are creative in deploying ICTs in coordinating schedules with, disciplining and monitoring their children. The chapter concludes that perpetual mothering which is ICT-based could be burdensome and stressful.
TopBackground
Over the last few years, homes have become increasingly “connected”, both internally and to the outside world. It is therefore suffice to see a variety of broadband access networks appear to deliver digital content to the home, both Internet based and broadcast. Therefore, an increasing number of homes have multiple PCs and are beginning to connect them to the internet. Yet, as other consumer devices also become digital, even they will also become connected. While the role of the PC and its software changed significantly in business when PCs moved from stand-alone to connected, it is very much expected that new roles and capabilities will appear for the PC at home as it develops continuous connections to other devices. In this paper, the researcher discusses the technologies that are appearing and how they will impact the function and role of the PC in the domestic context.
Additionally, this paper will help to boost understanding of issues surrounding the domestication of telecommunication and impact of their functions. This paper is being delineated into several headings and subtopics by asking some pertinent questions to serve a guiding light into the discussions. In what way have families been using multimedia? In what way have PCs been used in managing the home? What are the social trends that will have a bearing on the future use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) generally? Therefore, this paper will provide answers to the following questions which will guide the discussions in this paper. Also, the paper will anchor the discussions on possible theoretical framework by highlighting on applicable theory in the area. Finally, the paper pinpointed some implications of Social and Cultural Factors on mother’s domestication of Household ICTs.