Abstract
This chapter will explore historical child-rearing philosophies and trends relating to ‘expert’ advice including parenting gurus, baby manuals and parenting websites with links to social construction. At least since post- Second World War, Britain, women have been exposed to the many different opinions on the best way to bring up their children. These opinions and a now deeply embedded and ever growing societal perception of motherhood as a role that must be taught, has increased the potential for both the ‘professionalisation’ (Furedi 2008, p. 180) and ‘problematisation’ (Rose 1999, p. xi) of modern motherhood. This chapter will also provide insight into social media as the rising ‘expert’ and explore the trend in ‘blogging’ versus social media platforms with an exploration of research relating to the impact on maternal mental health. Extracts from the reflections of participants will focus on the navigation of the transition to motherhood and insight into the forms of advice and support accessed by new mothers during this time.
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Simmons, H. (2020). Emotions, ‘Expert’ Advice and Support in the Early Days of Motherhood. In: Surveillance of Modern Motherhood. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45363-3_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45363-3_3
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