Title
The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood,Used
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Working mothers today confront not only conflicting demands on their time and energy but also conflicting ideas about how they are to behave: they must be nurturing and unselfish while engaged in child rearing but competitive and ambitious at work. As more and more women enter the workplace, it would seem reasonable for society to make mothering a simpler and more efficient task. Instead, Sharon Hays points out in this original and provocative book, an ideology of 'intensive mothering' has developed that only exacerbates the tensions working mothers face.Drawing on ideas about mothering since the Middle Ages, on contemporary childrearing manuals, and on indepth interviews with mothers from a range of social classes, Hays traces the evolution of the ideology of intensive motheringan ideology that holds the individual mother primarily responsible for child rearing and dictates that the process is to be childcentered, expertguided, emotionally absorbing, laborintensive, and financially expensive. Hays argues that these ideas about appropriate mothering stem from a fundamental ambivalence about a system based solely on the competitive pursuit of individual interests. In attempting to deal with our deep uneasiness about selfinterest, we have imposed unrealistic and unremunerated obligations and commitments on mothering, making it into an opposing force, a primary field on which this cultural ambivalence is played out.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood'? A: The main theme of the book explores the conflicting demands and societal expectations placed on working mothers, highlighting the ideology of 'intensive mothering' that complicates their roles.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood' is Sharon Hays.
- Q: When was 'The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood' published? A: 'The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood' was published on September 10, 1998.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is bound in hardcover.
- Q: How many pages are in 'The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood'? A: The book contains 288 pages.
- Q: Is there a specific edition of this book? A: Yes, this is the First Edition (US) First Printing of the book.
- Q: What topics are covered in the book? A: The book covers topics such as the historical evolution of mothering ideologies, contemporary childrearing practices, and interviews with mothers from various social classes.
- Q: What is the author's perspective on the 'intensive mothering' ideology? A: Sharon Hays argues that the 'intensive mothering' ideology places unrealistic expectations on mothers, making them solely responsible for child rearing while also navigating professional ambitions.
- Q: Can this book provide insights for both mothers and researchers? A: Yes, the book offers valuable insights into the cultural expectations of motherhood, making it relevant for both mothers and researchers studying gender roles and family dynamics.
- Q: Is 'The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood' suitable for academic study? A: Yes, this book is suitable for academic study, particularly in fields such as sociology, gender studies, and family studies due to its in-depth analysis and historical context.