A Narrative of Fear: Advice to Mothers

Åström, Berit

doi:10.1353/lm.2015.0001

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Research on the embodied practice of breastfeeding to date is extensive, especially in medical research, where it is often focused on the benefits of breastfeeding (Victora et al, 2016) and on breastfeeding support for women (Cato, Sylvén, Henriksson, & Rubertsson, 2020). Feminist research on breastfeeding in the humanities and social sciences has charted the cultural histories of breastfeeding (Sjöblad, 1997;Yalom, 1997), and explored public breastfeeding discourses (Åström, 2015;Sällivaara, 2019;Wolf, 2010aWolf, , 2010b, typically raising questions about gendered power relations (Badinter, 2011;Friedman, 2009;Wolf, 2010b). Breastfeeding and bodies/embodiment has also been addressed in queer studies research on men and lactation (Cohen, 2017), which, like feminist studies, emphasizes that breastfeeding, although practiced almost exclusively by females, is a cross-gender concern marked by power.…”

Section: Feminist Perspectives On Maternal Bodies and Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bodies get in the way: breastfeeding and gender equality in Swedish handbooks for new parents

Henriksson

Rubertsson

2021

NORA - Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article offers an analysis of three popular Swedish handbooks for new parents, written by authors in the "media class." In these texts breastfeeding as a gendered, embodied practice collides with the Swedish ideal of genderequal parenting. The analysis explores the various ways that gendered bodies, gendered (parental) rights, and gender equality figure in the handbooks, drawing upon feminist studies of bodies and embodiment, and of breastfeeding in particular. It contextualizes the primary texts in terms of the Swedish ideal of gender-equal parenting, and in terms of current breastfeeding practices in Sweden. In the handbooks, the "breastfeeding imperative" is resisted because it is irrelevant and constraining for women, but also because it alienates fathers from infant feeding. Breastfeeding is ultimately rejected for reasons grounded in differences between gendered parental bodies, and particular understandings of gender-equal parenting. We contend that the books' suggestion that breastfeeding be rejected in the name of parental gender equality, while it may cause women to feel physically free, also supports fathers' rights discourses and in fact serves to (once more) marginalize women's bodies, straight and queer.

show abstract

Section: Feminist Perspectives On Maternal Bodies and Breastfeedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bodies get in the way: breastfeeding and gender equality in Swedish handbooks for new parents

Henriksson

Rubertsson

2021

NORA - Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The association between use of infant parenting books that promote strict routines, and maternal depression, self-efficacy, and parenting confidence

Harries

Brown

2017

Early Child Development and Care

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The transition to motherhood can be challenging. The baby book market has taken advantage of this, publishing a range of books that suggest adopting strict routines for infant sleep, feeding and general care. Despite their multi million sales, their impact has not been established. The aim of this study was to explore maternal experience of using these books, and the association with maternal wellbeing. Three hundred and fifty four mothers with an infant aged 0-12 months reported use of infant parenting books that promote strict routines, experience of using them, and measures of postnatal depression, maternal self efficacy and parenting stress. Use of the books was associated with increased depressive symptoms and stress, alongside lower self-efficacy, although experience of using the books predicted this. Although those who found the books useful had greater wellbeing, the majority did not find them useful, which was associated with lower wellbeing.

show abstract

Outside and Inside the Arena of Othering: Notions of ‘Intensive Mothering’ Revealed through Post-Abortion Narratives

’t Hart

2024

Sociology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article explores the reproduction of the practice of ‘intensive mothering’ as theorised by Sharon Hays via the theoretical lens of Othering. Examining 20 post-abortion narratives that were shared by women living in Perth (Western Australia), I interrogate the Othering practice that distinguishes those who practise intensive mothering and those who cannot or do not, creating a line of division between the ‘good mother’ and the ‘bad mother’. While Othering tends to be examined uni-directionally, along clear boundary lines such as ethnicity and gender, I utilise the concept of the ‘arena of Othering’. I argue that the process of Othering excludes some people from participating in abortion discourse while bolstering the image of the responsible Self. By studying abortion narratives, this article contributes to both sets of literature: motherhood and Othering, making possible an interrogation of ‘intensive mothering’ and offering the alternative ‘good enough mothering’ to resist Othering.

show abstract

A Narrative of Fear: Advice to Mothers

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

Bodies get in the way: breastfeeding and gender equality in Swedish handbooks for new parents

Bodies get in the way: breastfeeding and gender equality in Swedish handbooks for new parents

The association between use of infant parenting books that promote strict routines, and maternal depression, self-efficacy, and parenting confidence

Outside and Inside the Arena of Othering: Notions of ‘Intensive Mothering’ Revealed through Post-Abortion Narratives

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About