Mothering: Ideology, Experience, and Agency

What constitutes mothering? Who does it, how is it carried out, and how does it affect all those involved? Mothering presents the political, legal and cultural debates surrounding the issue of mothering. Bringing critical insights from ethnic studies, women's studies, sociology, anthropology, history, and literary and cultural studies, these essays provide a variety of perspectives on mothering as a socially constructed relationship. They also uncover conflicts over ideas and practices of mothering, involving mothers, the state, social reformers, employers, and child care experts. Covering a wide range of racial, ethnic and class contexts, the authors challenge conventional notions about biology, gender, and the family. -- from back cover.