Mothers and Children
372 pages, 6 x 9
Paperback
Release Date:01 Feb 2001
ISBN:9780813528762
Mothers and Children
Feminist Analyses and Personal Narratives
Edited by Susan Chase and Mary Rogers
Rutgers University Press
This feminist exploration of mothers, mothering, and motherhood combines evaluations of empirical and theoretical work with personal narratives by mothers or caregivers. While the authors' analyses yield suggestions for new approaches to motherhood, the narratives vividly demonstrate the relevance of these issues to women's lives. The result is a nuanced picture of the complex realities mothers face, as well as their struggles, joys, and hopes for their children. In the book's first part, "Social Constructions of Motherhood," Chase and Rogers argue that dominant western views of motherhood have been and continue to be detrimental to most mothers and children. In the second part, "Maternal Bodies," the authors attend to the ways that American society and women themselves have regarded the physical aspects of motherhood. Mothers' bodies, the authors contend, have long been objects of cultural and political struggle. The final part, "Mothering in Everyday Life," suggests that only an understanding of the daily realities of mothering will lead to social and political changes promoting the welfare of mothers and children.
Combining sociological feminist analysis with personal narratives, Chase attempts to anchor the historical and social contexts of motherhood in the real world. . . . The book does work, however, mostly because the authors chose to discuss important issues surrounding motherhood and because the structure of analysis and narrative is excellent.
In combining theoretical and empirical investigation with the actual personal narratives of caregivers and mothers, this feminist work offers not only an original view of motherhood, but also looks at how issues of race, sexuality, feminism, poverty, and reproductive health affect womenÆs lives.
Chase and Rogers confront these confusing and conflicting beliefs about motherhood from an explicitly feminist perspective. They clearly delineate their theoretical framework, making many of their assumptions explicit in the introduction. . . . An illuminating book, providing a much-needed perspective on the concept of motherhood. The chapters and lively and easy to read, and Rogers and Chase make most of their theoretical assumptions transparent allowing the reader to evaluate the presented material for herself.
A skillful balance of feminist scholarship and first-person accounts, Mothers and Children richly conveys the many challenges and pleasures of feminist motherhood. Clear, insightful, and moving, the book is ideal for classroom use.
Mothers and Children brings theory and experience together to show the complexity of feminist thinking about motherhood. It is a wonderful contribution to the literature on feminism and motherhood.
Susan E. Chase teaches sociology and women's studies at the University of Tulsa. She is the author of Ambiguous Empowerment: The Work Narratives of Women School Superintendents.
Mary F. Rogers teaches sociology and women's studies at the University of West Florida. She is the author of Barbie Culture and several other books.
