Abstract:
This research has been conducted from a post modern, pastoral-narrative point of view. The focus is on action stories in a narrative pastoral divorce mediation situation. From these stories my co-researchers and I have tried to discover new stories of hope. Chapter 1 focuses on action (the problem) and action stories that have been the object of the research. The research has been approached from five ‘movements’ (Müller 199:77). It can be explained in the following way: the story of the problem, the story of the past, the story of the clouded future, the re-authoring of the problem past story and the imaginary (hopeful) story of the future. The main theme for the organising of my research was inspired or motivated by an article, written by Müller (2001:64): “Therapy as Fiction writing”. In her book, “Bird by bird” (1995) Anne Lamott quotes a formula created by Alice Adams to explain the process of writing a story. Keeping this in mind, Müller, Van Deventer and ‘Human (2001) wrote an article: ”Fiction writing as metaphor for research: A narrative approach”. This article partly led to the creation of the ABDCE formula for writing. Hence the ideal opportunity was created for researching the method or therapy-based narrative principle. My research has been undertaken with ‘action’ as backdrop and to use the ‘background’ to explore the action and then to develop it, looking for a possible ‘climax‘ as well as a process or developing to an ‘ending’ was developed. Chapter 2 discusses the detail of background terms and their developing. The focus is on an essential shift of paradigm that should be exploited in view of the following three themes: post modernism: a new era has dawn, the scientific-philosophical foundation for the research and the narrative paradigm. Chapter 3 revolves around the family, the divorce process, the children as marginalised and the process of divorce mediation. These themes are explained and developed with the use of the necessary background. Chapter 4 is a theological and pastoral verification of the research. The focus is theology, practical theology, narrative practical theology, the role of the researcher/therapist in the research process and the narrative pastorate. The most important terms are discussed from several angles and the field of research is extended. Chapter 5 consists of a summary of the action stories. Seven co-researchers take turns in telling their story. In the discussion we look for possible stories of hope. The research has to be evaluated against the identified terms and the possible development of stories of hope. As a team the co-researchers and I will look for a climax in our research process. Is a “successful” divorce possible by means of narrative, pastoral divorce mediation? Chapter 6 discusses a possible ending … a time to reflect … a critical reflection on the research is essential. Conclusions are made and recommendation are suggested. I share my personal experience about the research process. The ending stays an open process. New questions arise which might lead to new research. This research does not end with a full stop, but with a comma, …
