Abstract
Motherhood and womanhood stand in a complex and contradictory relationship with one another. Under patriarchy, mothers appear to have a mythological, mysterious and powerful status. Only women are granted this status, and it is one to which all women are expected to aspire. The reality of mothers’ lives, however, often fails to match these aspirations. Motherhood is a challenge; although potentially enjoyable, it is also hard work and routinely stressful (Richardson, 1992). It is central to women’s lives whether or not they become mothers, and constrains their available choices. Becoming a mother often means economic dependence on another person or the state, and frequently reduces women’s income. It affects relationships with men and other women, and changes occupational, domestic and sexual arrangements. Being a mother influences social and personal identity, and has implications for women’s health (Nicolson, 1988).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Further reading
Paula Nicolson and Jane Ussher, The Psychology of Women’s Health and Health Care (London, Macmillan, 1992). This volume, with essays by feminist psychologists, focuses specifically upon the ways in which mainstream psychology seeks to pathologise women’s health and health care, particularly in relation to sexuality and reproduction. It includes chapters on infertility, pregnancy, abortion and health-care provision in relation to childbirth and early motherhood. It also explores the ways in which traditional psychological images of femininity equate with expectations of women’s mothering.
Adrienne Rich, Of Woman Born (London, Virago, 1985). This extremely readable book provides a touching and powerful personal account of motherhood combined with rigorous feminist analysis of the experience of being a mother.
Diane Richardson, Women, Motherhood and Childrearing (London, Macmillan, 1992). This provides a lucid account of all aspects of mothering from a feminist perspective, drawing upon sociological, historical and psychological ideas. Like Adrienne Rich’s book, it identifies the complex and often contradictory emotions surrounding the experience of mothering. It is also useful in clarifying the different ways in which feminists have conceptualised motherhood and the changes that the women’s movement has brought about in women’s lives.
Ann Phoenix, Anne Woollett and Eva Lloyd (eds), Motherhood: Meaning, Practices and Ideologies (London, Sage, 1991). This collection of essays focuses on particular aspects of mothering practice, concentrating upon the ways in which motherhood is socially constructed and how that construction effects the ways in which women become mothers. Chapters include an analysis of childcare manuals, and the messages that those convey, as well as exploring infertility, the experience of teenage motherhood and becoming a mother later in life. The influence of developmental psychology on the expectations about motherhood practice is also discussed.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1993 Paula Nicolson
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Nicolson, P. (1993). Motherhood and Women’s Lives. In: Richardson, D., Robinson, V. (eds) Introducing Women’s Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-22595-8_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-22595-8_9
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-54197-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-22595-8
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)