Introduction_NN1 
Widowhood_NN1 is_VBZ devastating_AJ0 !_SENT When_CJS a_AT0 husband_NN1 dies_VVZ ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ like_PRP a_AT0 grenade_NN1 has_VHZ detonated_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC one_PNI is_VBZ scattered_VVN into_PRP a_AT0 thousand_CRD little_AJ0 pieces_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 widow_NN1 did_VDD not_XX0 die_VVI ,_PUN though_CJS sometimes_AV0 she_PNP may_VM0 wish_VVI that_CJT she_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI ._SENT Now_AV0 she_PNP has_VHZ the_AT0 arduous_AJ0 job_NN1 of_PRF grieving_VVG and_CJC rebuilding_VVG a_AT0 new_AJ0 self_NN1 that_DT0 is_VBZ constructed_VVN from_PRP bits_NN2 of_PRF her_DPS old_AJ0 self_NN1 combined_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 unknown_AJ0 with_PRP few_DT0 guidelines_NN2 to_TO0 follow_VVI ._SENT Uncertainty_NN1 pervades_VVZ widows_NN2 '_POS grieving_NN1 and_CJC restructuring_VVG her_DPS "_PUQ self_NN1 '_PUQ ._SENT "_PUQ Women_NN2 do_VDB not_XX0 usually_AV0 use_VVI the_AT0 word_NN1 uncertainty_NN1 when_CJS they_PNP speak_VVB ._SENT Instead_AV0 they_PNP say_VVB that_CJT they_PNP do_VDB not_XX0 know_VVI what_DTQ they_PNP are_VBB going_VVG to_TO0 do_VDI ._SENT But_CJC even_AV0 though_CJS they_PNP do_VDB not_XX0 explicitly_AV0 express_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 that_CJT does_VDZ not_XX0 mean_VVI it_PNP does_VDZ not_XX0 exist_VVI ._SENT Part_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 ethnographer_NN1 's_POS job_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO0 take_VVI note_NN1 of_PRF feelings_NN2 and_CJC behavior_NN1 that_CJT exist_VVB below_PRP an_AT0 individual_NN1 's_POS level_NN1 of_PRF consciousness_NN1 (_PUL Hammersley_NP0 and_CJC Atkinson_NP0 2019_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
This_DT0 study_NN1 grew_VVD out_AVP of_PRF my_DPS concern_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 plight_NN1 of_PRF widows_NN2 in_PRP American_AJ0 society_NN1 today_AV0 combined_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 anger_NN1 and_CJC distress_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD treated_VVN by_PRP my_DPS husband_NN1 's_POS colleagues_NN2 after_PRP his_DPS death_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD participated_VVN in_PRP his_DPS professional_AJ0 and_CJC social_AJ0 academic_AJ0 life_NN1 for_PRP more_AV0 than_CJS 30_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP ceased_VVD to_TO0 exist_VVI after_PRP his_DPS Commemoration_NN1 of_PRF Life_NN1 Ceremony_NN1 planned_VVN by_PRP his_DPS department_NN1 and_CJC me_PNP ._SENT This_DT0 abandonment_NN1 hurt_VVD deeply_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP thought_VVD that_CJT I_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 integral_AJ0 part_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS professional_AJ0 community_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP found_VVD this_DT0 upsetting_AJ0 and_CJC demoralizing_AJ0 ._SENT Thus_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP started_VVD on_PRP an_AT0 investigative_AJ0 journey_NN1 ._SENT Unfortunately_AV0 ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 dearth_NN1 of_PRF academic_AJ0 literature_NN1 on_PRP widowhood_NN1 that_CJT could_VM0 guide_VVI me_PNP (_PUL Lopata_NP0 1994_CRD ,_PUN 1997_CRD ,_PUN 2000_CRD ,_PUN 2017_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Lopata_NP0 ,_PUN to_PRP my_DPS knowledge_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT0 only_AV0 social_AJ0 scientist_NN1 to_TO0 study_VVI widowhood_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 wide_AJ0 variety_NN1 of_PRF circumstances_NN2 ._SENT She_PNP used_VVD a_AT0 feminist_AJ0 /_PUN sociological_AJ0 approach_NN1 ,_PUN with_PRP an_AT0 emphasis_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 study_NN1 of_PRF social_AJ0 roles_NN2 and_CJC gender_NN1 stratification_NN1 ._SENT 
As_CJS a_AT0 sociologist_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS a_AT0 widow_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD interested_AJ0 in_PRP understanding_VVG which_DTQ factors_NN2 influenced_VVD self-image_NN1 ,_PUN status_NN1 ,_PUN emotions_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC everyday_AJ0 interactions_NN2 of_PRF middle-aged_AJ0 and_CJC older_AJC widows_NN2 ._SENT While_CJS I_PNP had_VHD plenty_PNI of_PRF social_AJ0 support_NN1 from_PRP family_NN1 and_CJC women_NN2 friends_NN2 ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 gaping_AJ0 hole_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS life_NN1 ._SENT Did_VDD other_AJ0 widows_NN2 feel_VVB the_AT0 same_DT0 way_NN1 ?_SENT Did_VDD other_AJ0 widows_NN2 feel_VVB as_PRP much_DT0 resentment_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP did_VDD ?_SENT Or_CJC was_VBD I_PNP an_AT0 outlier_AJC ?_SENT Were_VBD academic_AJ0 couples_NN2 atypical_AJ0 ?_SENT I_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 know_VVI ._SENT I_PNP realized_VVD that_CJT being_VBG both_AV0 a_AT0 participant_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 researcher_NN1 was_VBD an_AT0 advantage_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 disadvantage_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 deep_AJ0 knowledge_NN1 of_PRF marriage_NN1 and_CJC widowhood_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC this_DT0 was_VBD accompanied_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 deep_AJ0 bias_NN1 of_PRF which_DTQ I_PNP constantly_AV0 needed_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI aware_AJ0 upon_PRP embarking_VVG on_PRP this_DT0 research_NN1 project_NN1 ._SENT 
Framework_NN1 
This_DT0 paper_NN1 uses_VVZ the_AT0 concept_NN1 of_PRF uncertainty_NN1 in_PRP general_AJ0 and_CJC objective_AJ0 and_CJC subjective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 specifically_AV0 as_CJS a_AT0 framework_NN1 for_PRP this_DT0 research_NN1 (_PUL Spiekermann_NP0 and_CJC Weiss_NP0 2016_CRD ;_PUN Ülkümen_NP0 ,_PUN Fox_NP0 and_CJC Malle_NP0 2016_CRD )_PUR ._SENT I_PNP posit_VVB that_CJT these_DT0 two_CRD kinds_NN2 of_PRF uncertainty_NN1 are_VBB complementary_AJ0 ._SENT Objective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 refers_VVZ more_AV0 frequently_AV0 to_PRP specific_AJ0 states_NN2 or_CJC conditions_NN2 ._SENT Subjective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 refers_VVZ more_AV0 frequently_AV0 to_PRP a_AT0 proposed_AJ0 action_NN1 ,_PUN interaction_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC relationship_NN1 ._SENT Two_CRD areas_NN2 of_PRF objective_AJ0 uncertainties_NN2 are_VBB of_PRF specific_AJ0 concern_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 widow_NN1 —_PUN health_NN1 and_CJC finances_NN2 ._SENT Objective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 is_VBZ more_AV0 stable_AJ0 than_CJS its_DPS subjective_AJ0 counterpart_NN1 ._SENT External_AJ0 (_PUL objective_AJ0 )_PUR reasons_NN2 for_PRP uncertainty_NN1 lead_NN1 to_PRP internal_AJ0 (_PUL subjective_AJ0 )_PUR evaluation_NN1 of_PRF objectively_AV0 uncertain_AJ0 situations_NN2 ._SENT Furthermore_AV0 ,_PUN subjective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 is_VBZ fluid_AJ0 and_CJC can_VM0 change_VVI despite_PRP there_EX0 being_VBG no_AT0 shift_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 objective_AJ0 situation_NN1 ._SENT A_AT0 widow_NN1 can_VM0 go_VVI from_PRP one_CRD intended_AJ0 course_NN1 of_PRF action_NN1 to_PRP one_PNI that_CJT is_VBZ diametrically_AV0 opposite_AJ0 ;_PUN for_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN from_PRP confiding_VVG /_PUN not_XX0 confiding_VVG feelings_NN2 to_PRP a_AT0 friend_NN1 even_AV0 if_CJS her_DPS information_NN1 about_PRP the_AT0 friend_NN1 has_VHZ not_XX0 changed_VVN ._SENT 
Uncertainty_NN1 also_AV0 plays_VVZ a_AT0 role_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 widow_NN1 's_POS adoption_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 changed_AJ0 identity_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 process_NN1 may_VM0 be_VBI fraught_AJ0 with_PRP misinterpretations_NN2 as_CJS she_PNP attempts_VVZ to_TO0 reestablish_VVI herself_PNX in_PRP her_DPS social_AJ0 world_NN1 ._SENT Re-establishing_VVG a_AT0 new_AJ0 identity_NN1 as_PRP an_AT0 independent_AJ0 single_AJ0 woman_NN1 cannot_NN1 be_VBI achieved_VVN alone_AV0 because_CJS a_AT0 woman_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX0 live_VVI in_PRP isolation_NN1 ;_PUN therefore_AV0 ,_PUN clues_NN2 from_PRP others_NN2 need_VVB to_TO0 be_VBI observed_VVN and_CJC interpreted_VVN ._SENT From_PRP the_AT0 outside_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 widow_NN1 's_POS return_NN1 to_PRP a_AT0 fully_AV0 active_AJ0 member_NN1 of_PRF society_NN1 may_VM0 seem_VVI straightforward_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP is_VBZ a_AT0 complex_AJ0 undertaking_NN1 involving_VVG many_DT0 fits_NN2 and_CJC starts_NN2 ._SENT When_CJS widows_NN2 interact_VVB ,_PUN they_PNP need_VVB information_NN1 about_PRP the_AT0 other_AJ0 party_NN1 when_CJS starting_VVG new_AJ0 relationships_NN2 and_CJC even_AV0 when_CJS interacting_VVG with_PRP former_DT0 friends_NN2 and_CJC acquaintances_NN2 to_TO0 ameliorate_VVI their_DPS objective_NN1 and_CJC subjective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 (_PUL Berger_NP0 and_CJC Calabrese_NP0 1975_CRD ;_PUN Griffin_NP0 2012_CRD ;_PUN West_NP0 and_CJC Turner_NP0 2014_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Listed_VVN below_AV0 are_VBB a_AT0 few_DT0 characteristics_NN2 of_PRF both_DT0 the_AT0 widow_NN1 and_CJC her_DPS community_NN1 that_CJT relate_VVB to_PRP uncertainty_NN1 :_PUN 
General_AJ0 uncertainties_NN2 and_CJC lack_NN1 of_PRF congruence_NN1 between_PRP widows_NN2 '_POS and_CJC community_NN1 norms_NN2 (_PUL e.g._AV0 ,_PUN health_NN1 ,_PUN finances_NN2 ,_PUN relationships_NN2 ,_PUN religious_AJ0 groups_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC work_NN1 groups_NN2 )_PUR 
Lack_NN1 of_PRF agreement_NN1 about_PRP ambiguous_AJ0 or_CJC changing_AJ0 norms_NN2 on_PRP bereavement_NN1 and_CJC death_NN1 within_PRP the_AT0 community_NN1 
Variability_NN1 in_PRP expectations_NN2 of_PRF widows_NN2 '_POS behavior_NN1 
Background_NN1 
All_DT0 throughout_PRP history_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC even_AV0 today_AV0 ,_PUN societies_NN2 in_PRP many_DT0 parts_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 world_NN1 treat_NN1 widows_NN2 poorly_AV0 or_CJC harshly_AV0 ._SENT In_PRP the_AT0 past_AJ0 ,_PUN Indian_AJ0 women_NN2 were_VBD supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 commit_VVI suttee_NN1 being_VBG burned_VVN on_PRP a_AT0 funeral_NN1 pyre_NN1 after_PRP their_DPS husbands_NN2 died_VVN (_PUL Roye_NP0 2011_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Even_AV0 today_AV0 ,_PUN some_DT0 are_VBB forced_VVN to_TO0 leave_VVI their_DPS homes_NN2 to_TO0 live_VVI in_PRP poverty_NN1 and_CJC beg_VVB for_PRP a_AT0 living_NN1 (_PUL Bhattacharyya_NP0 and_CJC Singh_NP0 2017_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Widows_NN2 in_PRP Victorian_AJ0 times_NN2 were_VBD expected_VVN to_TO0 wear_VVI black_AJ0 clothing_NN1 and_CJC were_VBD prevented_VVN from_PRP engaging_VVG in_PRP social_AJ0 activities_NN2 for_PRP a_AT0 year_NN1 (_PUL Loeffel-Atkins_NP0 2012_CRD )_PUR ._SENT However_AV0 ,_PUN there_EX0 is_VBZ one_PNI major_AJ0 difference_NN1 between_PRP these_DT0 widows_NN2 who_PNQ followed_VVD traditional_AJ0 practices_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 widows_NN2 in_PRP this_DT0 study_NN1 (_PUL except_CJS for_PRP the_AT0 very_AV0 devout_AJ0 )_PUR that_CJT as_CJS onerous_AJ0 as_CJS their_DPS traditional_AJ0 lives_NN2 might_VM0 have_VHI been_VBN ,_PUN the_AT0 rules_NN2 were_VBD clear_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP knew_VVD that_CJT if_CJS they_PNP broke_VVD them_PNP they_PNP would_VM0 face_VVI social_AJ0 sanctions_NN2 ._SENT These_DT0 women_NN2 experienced_AJ0 certainty_NN1 ._SENT Social_AJ0 norms_NN2 ,_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN change_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC current_AJ0 widows_NN2 may_VM0 find_VVI norms_NN2 ambiguous_AJ0 ,_PUN which_DTQ lead_VVB to_PRP uncertainty_NN1 ._SENT Some_DT0 research_NN1 shows_VVZ that_CJT even_AV0 the_AT0 certainty_NN1 of_PRF an_AT0 unpleasant_AJ0 outcome_NN1 may_VM0 have_VHI less_DT0 deleterious_AJ0 effects_NN2 on_PRP an_AT0 individual_NN1 's_POS well-being_NN1 than_CJS living_VVG with_PRP uncertainty_NN1 (_PUL Walton_NP0 2016_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Ambiguity_NN1 breeds_VVZ uncertainty_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS gender_NN1 norms_NN2 shift_VVB ,_PUN they_PNP remain_VVB in_PRP a_AT0 state_NN1 of_PRF flux_NN1 ._SENT Older_AJC widows_NN2 ,_PUN raised_VVN in_PRP a_AT0 different_AJ0 time_NN1 ,_PUN may_VM0 not_XX0 be_VBI certain_AJ0 which_DTQ norms_NN2 apply_VVB to_PRP them_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC under_PRP what_DTQ circumstances_NN2 ._SENT Furthermore_AV0 ,_PUN social_AJ0 life_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 United_NP0 States_NP0 is_VBZ still_AV0 based_VVN on_PRP couples_NN2 ._SENT During_PRP the_AT0 years_NN2 when_CJS women_NN2 in_PRP this_DT0 study_NN1 were_VBD reaching_VVG adulthood_NN1 ,_PUN some_DT0 traditional_AJ0 members_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 community_NN1 still_AV0 believed_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 final_AJ0 stage_NN1 of_PRF adulthood_NN1 was_VBD achieved_VVN only_AV0 when_CJS a_AT0 man_NN1 and_CJC woman_NN1 married_VVD and_CJC had_VHD children_NN2 (_PUL Fremstad_NP0 2012_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Single_AJ0 women_NN2 ,_PUN on_PRP the_AT0 other_AJ0 hand_NN1 ,_PUN were_VBD denigrated_VVN and_CJC called_VVN spinster_NN1 and_CJC old_AJ0 maid_NN1 (_PUL Nanik_NP0 ,_PUN Tairas_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Hendriani_NP0 2018_CRD )_PUR ._SENT While_CJS gender_NN1 roles_NN2 have_VHB shifted_VVN in_PRP this_DT0 area_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 couple_NN1 as_PRP an_AT0 ideal_NN1 still_AV0 largely_AV0 exists_VVZ in_PRP society_NN1 (_PUL Fremstad_NP0 2012_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Will_VM0 the_AT0 widow_NN1 feel_NN1 liberated_VVN without_PRP a_AT0 husband_NN1 or_CJC will_VM0 she_PNP feel_VVI left_VVN out_AVP and_CJC isolated_VVN ?_SENT The_AT0 widow_NN1 may_VM0 be_VBI uncertain_AJ0 how_AVQ she_PNP feels_VVZ about_PRP her_DPS new_AJ0 options_NN2 and_CJC uncertain_AJ0 how_AVQ she_PNP may_VM0 be_VBI received_VVN by_PRP different_AJ0 actors_NN2 in_PRP her_DPS friendships_NN2 ,_PUN work_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC religious_AJ0 groups_NN2 ._SENT 
In_PRP this_DT0 time_NN1 of_PRF personal_AJ0 turmoil_NN1 ,_PUN social_AJ0 support_NN1 is_VBZ even_AV0 more_AV0 necessary_AJ0 than_CJS before_PRP the_AT0 woman_NN1 became_VVD a_AT0 widow_NN1 ._SENT This_DT0 support_NN1 comes_VVZ primarily_AV0 from_PRP family_NN1 ,_PUN friends_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC religious_AJ0 institutions_NN2 ._SENT Before_PRP their_DPS deaths_NN2 ,_PUN husbands_NN2 had_VHD provided_VVN support_NN1 and_CJC companionship_NN1 as_CJS well_AV0 (_PUL Douglas_NP0 ,_PUN Georgio_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Westbrook_NP0 2017_CRD ;_PUN Ranby_NP0 and_CJC Aiken_NP0 2016_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Some_DT0 widows_NN2 have_VHB known_VVN their_DPS husbands_NN2 since_CJS they_PNP were_VBD young_AJ0 ._SENT Thus_AV0 ,_PUN when_CJS a_AT0 husband_NN1 dies_VVZ ,_PUN he_PNP usually_AV0 leaves_VVZ a_AT0 big_AJ0 gap_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 support_NN1 system_NN1 ._SENT Support_NN1 from_PRP family_NN1 and_CJC friends_NN2 becomes_VVZ an_AT0 urgent_AJ0 lifeline_NN1 and_CJC sometimes_AV0 this_DT0 line_NN1 frays_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ generates_VVZ a_AT0 great_AJ0 deal_NN1 of_PRF angst_NN1 and_CJC uncertainty_NN1 ._SENT Inadequate_AJ0 social_AJ0 support_NN1 can_VM0 have_VHI strong_AJ0 negative_AJ0 effects_NN2 on_PRP grieving_VVG and_CJC recovering_VVG widows_NN2 that_CJT often_AV0 leads_VVZ to_PRP greater_AJC subjective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 ._SENT How_AVQ will_VM0 the_AT0 widow_NN1 compensate_VVI for_PRP the_AT0 loss_NN1 of_PRF social_AJ0 support_NN1 ?_SENT Will_VM0 she_PNP join_VVI support_NN1 groups_NN2 with_PRP similar_AJ0 interests_NN2 or_CJC experiences_NN2 ,_PUN or_CJC will_VM0 she_PNP rely_VVI on_PRP her_PNP deeply_AV0 felt_VVD religious_AJ0 and_CJC spiritual_AJ0 beliefs_NN2 that_CJT also_AV0 tend_VVB to_TO0 protect_VVI against_PRP social_AJ0 isolation_NN1 ?_SENT For_PRP some_DT0 widows_NN2 ,_PUN a_AT0 strong_AJ0 dependence_NN1 on_PRP God_NP0 as_PRP a_AT0 social_AJ0 support_NN1 appears_VVZ to_TO0 help_VVI allay_VVI depression_NN1 and_CJC anxiety_NN1 (_PUL Maltby_NP0 and_CJC Day_NP0 2020_CRD )_PUR ._SENT 
Uncertainty_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 problem_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 widow_NN1 as_CJS is_VBZ a_AT0 lack_NN1 of_PRF visibility_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 complaint_NN1 of_PRF many_DT0 widows_NN2 (_PUL Blades_NP0 2011_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Widows_NN2 are_VBB omnipresent_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC they_PNP are_VBB rarely_AV0 "_PUQ seen_VVN "_PUQ ._SENT Invisibility_NN1 develops_VVZ quickly_AV0 ,_PUN shortly_AV0 after_PRP a_AT0 short_AJ0 mourning_NN1 period_NN1 such_DT0 as_PRP Shiva_NP0 in_PRP the_AT0 Jewish_AJ0 community_NN1 or_CJC a_AT0 Viewing_NN1 in_PRP an_AT0 Irish-_AJ0 Catholic_AJ0 community_NN1 (_PUL McDermott_NP0 2013_CRD ;_PUN Ochs_NP0 2017_CRD )_PUR ._SENT But_CJC once_AV0 becoming_VVG invisible_AJ0 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ difficult_AJ0 to_TO0 become_VVI visible_AJ0 again_AV0 ._SENT When_CJS you_PNP are_VBB visible_AJ0 ,_PUN you_PNP have_VHB a_AT0 certain_AJ0 amount_NN1 of_PRF standing_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 voice_NN1 ._SENT Being_VBG invisible_AJ0 means_NN0 you_PNP have_VHB neither_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC you_PNP feel_VVB uncertain_AJ0 as_CJS to_PRP whether_CJS ,_PUN or_CJC when_CJS ,_PUN you_PNP can_VM0 regain_VVI either_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 amount_NN1 of_PRF uncertainty_NN1 related_VVN to_PRP invisibility_NN1 is_VBZ also_AV0 closely_AV0 related_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 extent_NN1 of_PRF agreed_AJ0 social_AJ0 expectations_NN2 within_PRP a_AT0 community_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS these_DT0 vary_VVB due_AJ0 to_PRP differences_NN2 in_PRP social_AJ0 values_NN2 ,_PUN then_AV0 both_AV0 objective_AJ0 and_CJC subjective_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 hinder_VVB the_AT0 widow_NN1 's_POS ability_NN1 to_TO0 find_VVI her_DPS niche_NN1 as_PRP an_AT0 esteemed_AJ0 single_AJ0 woman_NN1 ._SENT 
Social_AJ0 norms_NN2 tend_VVB to_TO0 be_VBI ambiguous_AJ0 during_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 when_CJS social_AJ0 norms_NN2 change_VVB at_PRP different_AJ0 rates_NN2 ._SENT This_DT0 can_VM0 be_VBI more_AV0 problematic_AJ0 for_PRP the_AT0 widow_NN1 than_CJS norms_NN2 that_CJT have_VHB changed_VVN more_AV0 drastically_AV0 but_CJC have_VHB been_VBN generally_AV0 accepted_VVN ._SENT Ambiguity_NN1 breeds_VVZ uncertainty_NN1 ._SENT Few_DT0 universal_AJ0 norms_NN2 and_CJC social_AJ0 structures_NN2 exist_VVB currently_AV0 to_TO0 help_VVI widows_NN2 fathom_VVI the_AT0 cultural_AJ0 nexus_NN1 within_PRP which_DTQ her_DPS loss_NN1 is_VBZ embedded_VVN ,_PUN or_CJC ascertain_VVB the_AT0 widow_NN1 's_POS ability_NN1 to_TO0 navigate_VVI her_DPS newly_AV0 configured_VVN social_AJ0 roles_NN2 ._SENT Extensive_AJ0 research_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN carried_VVN out_AVP about_PRP the_AT0 mental_AJ0 and_CJC physical_AJ0 consequences_NN2 of_PRF widowhood_NN1 and_CJC grief_NN1 (_PUL Holm_NP0 ,_PUN Berland_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Severinsson_NP0 2019_CRD ;_PUN Holm_NP0 and_CJC Severinsson_NP0 2012_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Little_DT0 is_VBZ known_VVN ,_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN about_PRP the_AT0 social_AJ0 and_CJC behavioral_AJ0 adjustments_NN2 made_VVN by_PRP middle-aged_AJ0 and_CJC older_AJC widows_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 role_NN1 uncertainty_NN1 plays_VVZ in_PRP these_DT0 adjustments_NN2 (_PUL Lindley_NP0 2013_CRD )_PUR ._SENT Research_NN1 about_PRP emotional_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 is_VBZ prevalent_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 medical_AJ0 field_NN1 ,_PUN for_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN trauma_NN1 ,_PUN death_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC dementia_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC is_VBZ meagre_AJ0 elsewhere_AV0 (_PUL Carleton_NP0 et_NP0 al._NN1 2019_CRD )_PUR ._SENT A_AT0 wife_NN1 faced_VVN with_PRP widowhood_NN1 experiences_NN2 an_AT0 overload_NN1 of_PRF emotional_AJ0 uncertainty_NN1 because_CJS she_PNP needs_VVZ to_TO0 deal_VVI with_PRP the_AT0 uncertainty_NN1 related_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 course_NN1 and_CJC timing_NN1 of_PRF her_DPS husband_NN1 's_POS illness_NN1 and_CJC death_NN1 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS the_AT0 uncertainty_NN1 regarding_PRP her_DPS future_AJ0 widowhood_NN1 ._SENT Lopata_NP0 (_PUL 1994_CRD ,_PUN 1996_CRD ,_PUN 2000_CRD ,_PUN 2017_CRD )_PUR is_VBZ the_AT0 only_AV0 social_AJ0 scientist_NN1 ,_PUN to_PRP my_DPS knowledge_NN1 ,_PUN to_TO0 study_VVI widowhood_NN1 in_PRP depth_NN1 ._SENT She_PNP combined_VVD a_AT0 feminist_AJ0 and_CJC sociological_AJ0 perspective_NN1 in_PRP her_DPS study_NN1 of_PRF gender_NN1 stratification_NN1 and_CJC gender_NN1 roles_NN2 of_PRF widows_NN2 in_PRP their_DPS everyday_AJ0 lives_NN2 ._SENT 
Methods_NN2 
When_CJS using_VVG a_AT0 symbolic_AJ0 interaction_NN1 approach_NN1 ,_PUN participant_NN1 observation_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC semi-structured_AJ0 and_CJC unstructured_AJ0 interviews_NN2 are_VBB the_AT0 primary_AJ0 ways_NN2 to_TO0 uncover_VVI patterned_AJ0 social_AJ0 realities_NN2 and_CJC develop_VVB insights_NN2 into_PRP the_AT0 meanings_NN2 of_PRF participants_NN2 (_PUL Denzin_NP0 ,_PUN 2017_CRD )_PUR ._SENT A_AT0 critical_AJ0 ethnographic_AJ0 perspective_NN1 adds_VVZ another_DT0 layer_NN1 of_PRF depth_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 reflexivity_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 ethnographical_AJ0 approach_NN1 is_VBZ based_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 idea_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP ,_PUN including_PRP the_AT0 researcher_NN1 ,_PUN are_VBB actors_NN2 in_PRP our_DPS social_AJ0 world_NN1 and_CJC can_VM0 reflect_VVI on_PRP our_DPS feelings_NN2 ,_PUN attitudes_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC actions_NN2 as_PRP objects_NN2 to_TO0 be_VBI studied_VVN (_PUL Hammersley_NP0 and_CJC Atkins_NP0 2019_CRD ;_PUN McQueeney_NP0 and_CJC Lavelle_NP0 2017_CRD )_PUR ._SENT To_TO0 understand_VVI the_AT0 inner_AJ0 life_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 widow_NN1 —_PUN her_DPS fears_NN2 ,_PUN doubts_NN2 ,_PUN aspirations_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC how_AVQ she_PNP expresses_VVZ them_PNP in_PRP her_DPS new_AJ0 status_NN1 of_PRF being_VBG single_AJ0 —_PUN both_DT0 participant_NN1 and_CJC analytic_AJ0 perspectives_NN2 are_VBB needed_VVN ._SENT I_PNP enter_VVB the_AT0 research_NN1 project_NN1 with_PRP this_DT0 awareness_NN1 ._SENT Though_CJS I_PNP have_VHB years_NN2 of_PRF experience_NN1 in_PRP qualitative_AJ0 research_NN1 (_PUL Kenen_NP0 1982_CRD ;_PUN Kenen_NP0 ,_PUN Arden-Jones_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Eeles_NP0 2003_CRD ;_PUN Kenen_NP0 et_NP0 al._NN1 2011_CRD )_PUR ,_PUN I_PNP am_VBB a_AT0 novice_NN1 in_PRP two_CRD areas_NN2 –_PUN -being_AJ0 both_AV0 a_AT0 recent_AJ0 widow_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 recent_AJ0 critical_AJ0 ethnographer_NN1 ._SENT 
Power_NN1 between_PRP researcher_NN1 and_CJC those_DT0 being_VBG studied_VVN is_VBZ always_AV0 an_AT0 issue_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC it_PNP is_VBZ particularly_AV0 important_AJ0 to_TO0 address_VVI when_CJS conducting_VVG ethnographic_AJ0 research_NN1 (_PUL Hammersley_NP0 and_CJC Atkinson_NP0 ,_PUN 2019_CRD )_PUR ._SENT I_PNP never_AV0 felt_VVD that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD any_DT0 power_NN1 ;_PUN simply_AV0 put_VVB ,_PUN I_PNP am_VBB small_AJ0 in_PRP stature_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP always_AV0 look_VVB younger_AJC than_CJS my_DPS age_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP have_VHB spent_VVN much_DT0 of_PRF my_DPS life_NN1 trying_VVG to_TO0 prove_VVI that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 brain_NN1 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS a_AT0 body_NN1 ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 title_NN1 "_PUQ professor_NN1 "_PUQ has_VHZ the_AT0 potential_NN1 of_PRF being_VBG a_AT0 power_NN1 laden_AJ0 status_NN1 that_CJT can_VM0 open_VVI a_AT0 gulf_NN1 between_PRP researcher_NN1 and_CJC participants_NN2 being_VBG studied_VVN ._SENT I_PNP tried_VVD to_TO0 offset_VVI this_DT0 by_PRP being_VBG low_AV0 key_AJ0 ,_PUN friendly_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC upfront_AV0 about_PRP being_VBG a_AT0 widow_NN1 ._SENT Before_PRP each_DT0 interview_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP chatted_VVD for_PRP a_AT0 few_DT0 minutes_NN2 ,_PUN sharing_VVG some_DT0 of_PRF our_DPS feelings_NN2 and_CJC experiences_NN2 ._SENT If_CJS the_AT0 widow_NN1 became_VVD emotional_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP reflected_VVD her_DPS feelings_NN2 and_CJC spoke_VVD about_PRP my_DPS having_VHG the_AT0 same_DT0 feelings_NN2 in_PRP a_AT0 similar_AJ0 situation_NN1 ._SENT These_DT0 brief_AJ0 indications_NN2 of_PRF solidarity_NN1 usually_AV0 calmed_VVD the_AT0 participant_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 main_AJ0 differences_NN2 that_CJT I_PNP discerned_VVD between_PRP my_DPS etic_AJ0 perspective_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 emic_AJ0 perspective_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 participant_NN1 were_VBD related_VVN to_PRP my_DPS lifestyle_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP listed_VVD my_DPS known_AJ0 biases_NN2 (_PUL e.g._AV0 ,_PUN social_AJ0 status_NN1 ,_PUN health_NN1 ,_PUN financial_AJ0 well-being_NN1 ,_PUN race_NN1 ,_PUN education_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC religion_NN1 )_PUR and_CJC placed_VVN these_DT0 above_PRP my_DPS computer_NN1 station_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 visual_AJ0 reminder_NN1 of_PRF them_PNP instead_AV0 of_PRF writing_VVG specific_AJ0 reflexivity_NN1 notes_VVZ simultaneously_AV0 with_PRP field_NN1 notes_NN2 ._SENT 
