You're Doing it Wrong!
248 pages, 6 x 9
17 b-w images, 3 tables
Paperback
Release Date:19 Apr 2019
ISBN:9780813593784
Hardcover
Release Date:19 Apr 2019
ISBN:9780813593791
You're Doing it Wrong!
Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise
Rutgers University Press
New mothers face a barrage of confounding decisions during the life-cycle of early motherhood which includes... Should they change their diet or mindset to conceive? Exercise while pregnant? Should they opt for a home birth or head for a hospital? Whatever they “choose,” they will be sure to find plenty of medical expertise from health practitioners to social media “influencers” telling them that they’re making a series of mistakes. As intersectional feminists with two small children each, Bethany L. Johnson and Margaret M. Quinlan draw from their own experiences as well as stories from a range of caretakers throughout.
You’re Doing it Wrong! investigates the storied history of mothering advice in the media, from the newspapers, magazines, doctors’ records and personal papers of the nineteenth-century to today’s websites, Facebook groups, and Instagram feeds. Johnson and Quinlan find surprising parallels between today’s mothering experts and their Victorian counterparts, but they also explore how social media has placed unprecedented pressures on new mothers, even while it may function as social support for some. They further examine the contentious construction of prenatal and baby care expertise itself, as individuals such as everyone from medical professionals to experienced moms have competed to have their expertise acknowledged in the public sphere.
Exploring potential health crises from infertility treatments to “better babies” milestones, You’re Doing it Wrong! provides a provocative look at historical and contemporary medical expertise during conception, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and infant care stages.
You’re Doing it Wrong! investigates the storied history of mothering advice in the media, from the newspapers, magazines, doctors’ records and personal papers of the nineteenth-century to today’s websites, Facebook groups, and Instagram feeds. Johnson and Quinlan find surprising parallels between today’s mothering experts and their Victorian counterparts, but they also explore how social media has placed unprecedented pressures on new mothers, even while it may function as social support for some. They further examine the contentious construction of prenatal and baby care expertise itself, as individuals such as everyone from medical professionals to experienced moms have competed to have their expertise acknowledged in the public sphere.
Exploring potential health crises from infertility treatments to “better babies” milestones, You’re Doing it Wrong! provides a provocative look at historical and contemporary medical expertise during conception, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and infant care stages.
Through analyses of historical and contemporary cases, especially the careful study of social media and smart phone apps, Johnson and Quinlan raise important questions about expertise and power relations in defining the good mother.
'You're Doing It Wrong!: Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise is a rare mix of historical, sociological, and media analysis that sheds light on the processes by which motherhood gets defined. We get a glimpse of the historical underpinnings of our relationship with medical expertise, and how media outlets create cultural consensus about mothering (if they do).'
Combining historical insights and of-the-minute analyses of social media platforms, Johnson and Quinlan persuasively argue for a rethinking of what we ‘know’ about expertise and the often-fraught journey of early motherhood.’
'You’re Doing It Wrong': the century-old roots of mom-shaming,' by Anna North
An amazingly refreshing look back at how the medical advice given in relation to raising children has changed over the ages. It really helps to put everything into perspective, and makes you realize…we probably aren’t doing such a bad job after all!
Defining Moments podcast interview with Bethany L. Johnson and Margaret M. Quinlan
https://woub.org/2019/06/24/post-partum-care-baby-milestones-and-mothering-historical-and-contemporary-challenges/
Mr. Dad 'Positive Parenting' podcast interview with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan
https://mrdad.com/positiveparenting-afn/youre-doing-it-wrong-the-stress-switch/
A Tongue-in-Cheek History of Infertility'
https://www.momcavetv.com/history-of-infertility/
Psychologists Off The Clock' podcast interview with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan
https://www.offtheclockpsych.com/podcast/youre-doing-it-wrong
Self-care Series: Margaret M. Quinlan QA
https://www.andbreathepostnatal.com/blog/2019/09/14/self-care-series-margaret-quinlan
Yes, We Will Revise that RR’: Birthing and Writing in the ‘Publish-or-Perish’ Paradigm – Guest Post
http://theprofessorisin.com/2019/09/23/yes-we-will-revise-that-rr-birthing-and-writing-in-the-publish-or-perish-paradigm-guest-post/
Episode 67: Bethany Johnson and Maggie Quinlan on ‘You’re Doing It Wrong! Mothering, Media and Medical Expertise’
https://engendered.us/episode-67-bethany-johnson-and-maggie-quinlan-on-youre-doing-it-wrong-mothering-media-and-medical-expertise/?fbclid=IwAR2HBiS9zhPmFNBD4hx6QBwWTHYJJ_V94S9HqhLerEqi33tAKJ69MzqI1fc
Empowered Health' podcast interview with Bethany L. Johnson and Margaret M. Quinlan
https://empoweredhealthshow.com/ep-28-mothering-crowdsourcing-advice-and-judgment-with-dr-margaret-quinlan-and-bethany-johnson/
The Pressures of Being a ‘Perfect Mom’ and Information Overload: Author researcher Dr. Margaret Quinlan shares insights on this age-old feeling nearly every mom experiences'
https://www.drstevesilvestro.com/the-pressures-of-being-a-perfect-mom-information-overwhelm-with-dr-margaret-quinlan
You’re Doing it Wrong’ — The Long History of Mom Shaming
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/youre-doing-it-wrong-the-problem-with-social-media-influencers-and-parenting
Common Sense Pregnancy, Parenting Politics' podcast interview with Margaret Quinlan
http://dcs.megaphone.fm/POD1018577234.mp3?key=484bc6c633d79e6845237ce5173862e2
Mtherhood in the media: an interview with Margaret Quinlan - Episode 199'
https://parentingbytes.com/motherhood-is-hard-margaret-quinlan/
You're Doing it Wrong! (Not!!)' The Happy Student podcast interview with Margaret Quinlan
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happy-student/id1180759474
NYSSA: The Unmentionables podcast interview with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan
https://www.buzzsprout.com/291095/1892564
Masters in Parenting Podcast' interview with Bethany Johnson
https://www.chicagoparent.com/learn/podcast/masters-in-parenting-episode-32/
'You’re Doing It Wrong' Authors Dicuss Infertility' by Yasmine Singh
https://lifeontheup.com/2019/11/08/youre-doing-it-wrong-authors-dicuss-infertility/
Eugenics Theory, Better Baby Contests, and the Formation of Modern Parenting Advice' by Patrick A. Coleman
https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/eugenics-history-parenting-advice/
Johnson and Quinlan offer a superb analysis of historical and contemporary renderings of both the lay and expert advice mothers receive.
Margaret Quinlan interview on Birth Words podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/infertility-ii/id1470817610?i=1000457784715
Motherhood Has Never Been More Complicated — Here’s How to Simplify It' by Laura Donovan
You're Doing It Wrong! with Bethany L. JohnsonThe Can't Make This Up History Podcast
Academic Minute: New Mother Challenges interview with Margaret Quinlan
https://www.insidehighered.com/audio/2020/02/13/new-mother-challenges
Experiencing the Unimaginable: Part II: Pregnancy loss,' by Margaret M. Quinlan and Bethany Johnson
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/medical-humanities-mamas/202002/experiencing-the-unimaginable
Under the Covers interview with Bethany Johnson
https://charlottereaderspodcast.com/under-the-covers-with-bethany-johnson/#more-1582
Part III: When Someone Experiences the Unimaginable: Premature Birth and Child Loss' by Margaret M. Quinlan and Bethany Johnson
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/medical-humanities-mamas/202003/part-iii-when-someone-experiences-the-unimaginable
EPISODE 91: MARGARET QUINLAN BETHANY JOHNSON: SOCIAL MEDIA MOTHERING'
https://momdeconstructed.com/ep91/
The Weekly Ritual interview with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan
Mable + Moxie interview with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan
Postpartum During a Pandemic: Postpartum is already challenging. What about COVID-19?' by Margaret M. Quinlan and Bethany Johnson
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/medical-humanities-mamas/202004/postpartum-during-pandemic#_=_
You’re doing it wrong: a conversation with Margaret Quinlan'
https://www.expectingmore.org/2020/05/05/youre-doing-it-wrong-a-conversation-with-margaret-quinlan/
The Story with Charu' interview with Margaret M. Quinlan
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/The-Story-with-Charu-p1264598/
[You're Doing it Wrong!] made me stop to think about the advice I give and the unsolicited advice I receive. Reading the book also made me more mindful of instances where I’ve judged someone else for the parenting decisions they’ve made.
QC Life interview with Bethany Johnson and Dr. Margaret Quinlan'
https://qclife.wbtv.com/youre-doing-it-wrong/
You’re Doing It All Wrong – Quarantined Authors Part 1'
https://www.puckermom.com/video/youre-doing-it-all-wrong-quarantined-authors-part-1/
You’re Doing It All Wrong – Quarantined Authors Part 2'
https://www.puckermom.com/video/youre-doing-it-all-wrong-quarantined-authors-part-2/
You’re Doing It All Wrong – Quarantined Authors Part 3'
https://www.puckermom.com/video/youre-doing-it-all-wrong-quarantined-authors-part-3/
New Books Network - New Books in Gender Studies' interview with Bethany L. Johnson
https://newbooksnetwork.com/b-l-johnson-and-m-m-quinlan-youre-doing-it-wrong%E2%80%AFmothering-media-and-medical-expertise-rutgers-up-2019/
You’re Doing It Wrong!’: An Interview with Margaret M. Quinlan Bethany Johnson
http://www.muthamagazine.com/2020/06/youre-doing-it-wrong-an-interview-with-margaret-m-quinlan-bethany-johnson/
Ep. 14 – Mothering: Are We Doing It Wrong? – Bethany Johnson Margaret Quinlan'
https://momafterhours.com/2020/07/02/ep-14-mothering-are-we-doing-it-wrong-bethany-johnson-margaret-quinlan/
How Social Media Influences Your Motherhood with Authors Bethany Johnson and Maggie Quinlan of You're Doing it Wrong!'
https://generationmom.lnk.to/Number1MomPodcastWE
Mother Honestly podcast interview - The Historical Construction of Motherhood, Infertility, and Women’s Health with Dr. Margaret Quinlan (Ph.D)'
https://motherhonestly.com/2020/07/28/the-historical-construction-of-motherhood-infertility-and-womens-health-with-dr-margaret-quinlan-ph-d/
Episode 11: You're Doing It Wrong!'
https://www.mightylittles.com/podcast/youre-doing-it-wrong
Dr. Wendy Walsh interview with Margaret M. Quinlan
https://www.iheart.com/content/2020-08-02-no-moms-youre-not-doing-it-wrong/
BYURadio, 'Top of Mind with Julie Rose' - episoide 'Belarus Protests, Conspiracy Theories, Mom-Shaming'
http://www.byuradio.org/episode/3e66e302-21fc-421b-95f2-740c03e551f0/top-of-mind-with-julie-rose-belarus-protests-conspiracy-theories-mom-shaming?playhead=3164autoplay=true
A Conversation with Margaret M. Quinlan'
https://literarymama.com/articles/departments/2020/07/a-conversation-with-margaret-m-quinlan
Most importantly, [Johnson and Quinlan] dedicate chapters to health scares that parents often face—surrounding preconception, fertility, pregnancy and birth, the postpartum period, infant loss, and early childhood rearing—and discuss how related medical, technical, and nontraditional (what the authors term 'lay expert') advice is frequently contradictory and confusing. What it means to be a good mother may be less clear in a socially opinionated environment that offers varied levels of expert advice; however, the pressure to be a good mother is quite transparent. Recommended.'
This book is the perfect marriage of research, personal experiences, and interviews. It is well-written, thoughtful, relatable, and most importantly — enjoyable to read! I appreciated how inclusive the writing is. It will surely make you stop to think about the advice you give and the unsolicited advice you receive. We could all be a little more mindful and less judgmental.
WSGE Radio - 'For Your Health and Wellbeing' interview
The is Infertility podcast interview
Fresh Take: You're Doing It Wrong! (with Bethany Johnson and Margaret Quinlan)
It's Time to Leave the Term 'Pregnancy Brain' Behind
'People are at their breaking points' | Pandemic brings new obstacles for working mothers
Our Society Has Been Shaming Moms For Centuries' interview with Bethany Johnson and Dr. Maggie M. Quinlan
Save Your Advice and Offer Support Instead' interview with Bethany Johnson and Dr. Margaret M. Quinlan
Baby formula shortage leaves local parents scrambling
Bethany L. Johnson is an instructor in history and an associate member to the graduate faculty and research affiliate faculty in the department of communication studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Margaret M. Quinlan is a professor of communication studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Margaret M. Quinlan is a professor of communication studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Contents
Acknowledgements
List of Photographs
Part I: Conception and (In)fertility
Introduction
Chapter 1: On Preconception, the Beginning of the Life-cycle of Early Motherhood
Chapter 2: A State of Mind?: Fertility Treatment(s) and Expertise
Part II: Pregnancy and Birth
Chapter 3: Red Underwear, Genes and Monstrosity: Pregnancy, Behavior and Intergenerational Impact
Chapter 4: “You Women Will Have to Fight for It”: Twilight Sleep and Transactional Childbirth Expertise in 20th-century America
Part III: The Postpartum Period; The “Fourth Trimester”
Chapter 5: “One of the Most Curious Charities in the World”: Infant Incubation as Sideshow and/or Medical Specialty
Chapter 6: Not Just Baby Blues: Historical Realities and Social Media Accounts of Postpartum Care Today
Part IV: Infant Loss and Early Childhood
Chapter 7: Memento Mori in the Victorian Era and on Social Media: The “Right” (Way) to Grieve
Chapter 8: “Better Babies:” Early 20th-century Scientific Babyhood and Constructions of 21st-century Infancy on Instagram
Conclusion
Methodological Appendix
Master Reference List
Selected Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
List of Photographs
Part I: Conception and (In)fertility
Introduction
Chapter 1: On Preconception, the Beginning of the Life-cycle of Early Motherhood
Chapter 2: A State of Mind?: Fertility Treatment(s) and Expertise
Part II: Pregnancy and Birth
Chapter 3: Red Underwear, Genes and Monstrosity: Pregnancy, Behavior and Intergenerational Impact
Chapter 4: “You Women Will Have to Fight for It”: Twilight Sleep and Transactional Childbirth Expertise in 20th-century America
Part III: The Postpartum Period; The “Fourth Trimester”
Chapter 5: “One of the Most Curious Charities in the World”: Infant Incubation as Sideshow and/or Medical Specialty
Chapter 6: Not Just Baby Blues: Historical Realities and Social Media Accounts of Postpartum Care Today
Part IV: Infant Loss and Early Childhood
Chapter 7: Memento Mori in the Victorian Era and on Social Media: The “Right” (Way) to Grieve
Chapter 8: “Better Babies:” Early 20th-century Scientific Babyhood and Constructions of 21st-century Infancy on Instagram
Conclusion
Methodological Appendix
Master Reference List
Selected Bibliography
Index
