Lone motherhood in mainland China: A corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of Weibo posts

A critical discourse analysis of 894 Weibo posts from 2019 to 2023 was hereby conducted to investigate the representation of lone motherhood on Chinese social media using a corpus-assisted approach. Three primary discourses relating to family-centric priorities, experiences of hardship, and narratives of resilience were involved. The findings demonstrate that while traditional challenges of lone motherhood persist, alternative discourses that highlight lone mothers' agency and strength are emerging. This research pioneers the application of critical discourse analysis (CDA) to lone motherhood discourses on Chinese social media, offering novel insights into discourse construction in China's unique social media landscape. Theoretically, it advances the understanding of how social media platforms can both reinforce and challenge the dominant discourse surrounding lone motherhood. Furthermore, the study underscores the necessity of examining the diverse voices and experiences of lone mothers beyond traditional assumptions of vulnerability.