SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS OF MOTHERS-IN-LAW ACROSS DIVERSE CULTURES

The family structure of every nation, along with the roles and relationships within it, is based on unique cultural values. From this perspective, the image of the mother-in-law has become an important social symbol in many societies. She is regarded not only as a figure of family experience and wisdom, but also as a connecting link between generations, and at times as a source of familial conflict. In traditional families, the mother-in-law is often viewed as the manager of the household and the mentor responsible for guiding the daughter-in-law. In the cultures of various countries, including those of the East, the West, and African societies, the status of mothers-in-law, the expectations in mother-in-law–daughter-in-law relationships, the cultural roots of intergenerational conflicts, and the strategies for mitigating such tensions are interpreted in different ways. This study analyzes these differences and examines social perceptions of mothers-in-law from a broader intercultural perspective.每个民族的家庭结构及其内部的角色与关系，均植根于独特的文化价值体系。从这一视角出发，婆婆（mother-in-law）的形象在诸多社会中已成为重要的社会符号。她不仅被视作承载家庭阅历与智慧的形象，更是代际间的联结纽带，有时亦会成为家庭冲突的诱因。在传统家庭中，婆婆通常被视为家庭事务的管理者，以及负责指导儿媳（daughter-in-law）的导师。在涵盖东方、西方与非洲社会的各国文化语境中，各方对婆婆的身份地位、婆媳（mother-in-law–daughter-in-law）关系中的角色期许、代际冲突的文化根源，以及缓解此类紧张关系的策略，均存在迥异的解读。本研究旨在剖析这些差异，并从更广阔的跨文化视角，审视社会对婆婆的认知与评价。