Narrating Maternity

Morrow, Colette

doi:10.1300/j155v05n04_03

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The concept of a mother in Western society is equated with the biological processes of pregnancy, birth, and lactation, which are assumed to produce a special maternal bond between mother and child (Park, 2013). By privileging biological motherhood, other types of mothers including non-birth mothers in same-sex relationships are often rendered invisible or secondary (Green, 2015;Morrow, 2001). Internalization of these dominant ideologies can undermine the legitimacy of non-birth mothers' maternal identity, leading to feelings of invisibility and inadequacy (Ben-Ari & Livni, 2006;Hequembourg & Farrell, 1999).…”

Section: Motherhood Ideologies and Maternal Legitimacymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Motherhood Experiences of Non-Birth Mothers in Same-Sex Parent Families

McInerney

Creaner

Nixon

2021

Psychology of Women Quarterly

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this qualitative study, we explored the experiences of non-birth mothers whose child(ren) were planned and conceived within their same-sex relationship. We conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 14 participants in Ireland. We transcribed the interviews verbatim and analyzed the data using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Our findings comprised three superordinate themes: A Question of Recognition, An Insecure Connection, and Carving Your Own Way and related subordinate themes. Motherhood experiences were characterized by resilience and vulnerability in parenting their children without legal parental rights and within a heteronormative society that privileged biological motherhood. The dynamic relationship between seeking connection and seeking legitimacy that is at the heart of the participants’ experiences of motherhood is highlighted. Participants encountered challenges to their maternal legitimacy within their families and communities and in their interactions with legal and social institutions. Participants described using various strategies to reinforce their parental identity. Despite the challenges, participants were engaged in constructing satisfying parenting roles. The findings highlight the importance of legitimizing the parental identity of non-birth mothers. Therapists should be sensitive to the additional marginalization of non-birth mothers in same-sex parent families. Validating their vulnerability and their resilience in the face of obstacles may enhance their coping resources.

show abstract

Section: Motherhood Ideologies and Maternal Legitimacymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Motherhood Experiences of Non-Birth Mothers in Same-Sex Parent Families

McInerney

Creaner

Nixon

2021

Psychology of Women Quarterly

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This is part of Othermothers and Women-Centered Networks theme. Although, there has been research done on other mothers in lesbian parenting, none of these researchers have situated there research crediting Hill Collins who was one of the first to research other mothers in the Black community (Hayman et al 2013;Brown & Perlesz 2007;Morrow 2001). This concept comes from African communities (and then slave communities) where the phrase "it takes a village" first originated.…”

Section: Bloodmothers Othermothers and Women-centered Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refiguring Motherhood Beyond Biology

Cole¹,

Renegar²

2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This book unpacks and interrogates dominant constructions of mothering, making use of interdisciplinary, ideological and theoretical perspectives to investigate how new rhetorics of mothering can expand the realm of maternal care-givers beyond the biological definitions of motherhood.This diverse collection is at the cutting-edge of rhetoric, feminism, and motherhood studies, and the chapters challenge the confines of biological parenting as heteronormative within the neo-liberal nuclear family. The contributors examine, how despite the diversity of parental relationships, many are excluded by the understanding of mothers biologically tied to their children. The volume seeks to expose the underpinnings of biological primacy and argues that 21st-century families and familial circumstances are ill-served by biological ideology. Topics include Re-Imagining Queer Black Motherhood, Chicana Feminist approaches to reproductive justice, the commercialization and medicalization of infertility, and ableism and motherhood.This is a unique and fascinating book suitable for students and scholars in gender studies, sexuality studies, communication studies, sociology, and cultural studies.

show abstract

Lesbians as Community Other Mothers

Hayman

2016

The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The term other mother is often used to describe the non‐biological female parent in de novo lesbian families. A child attempting to differentiate two female parents will use a variety of words to call each of their mothers. While the identity of lesbian mothers is becoming more visible in society, specific language to describe the role and identity of the non‐biological mother in de novo families is still developing.

show abstract

Narrating Maternity

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

The Motherhood Experiences of Non-Birth Mothers in Same-Sex Parent Families

The Motherhood Experiences of Non-Birth Mothers in Same-Sex Parent Families

Refiguring Motherhood Beyond Biology

Lesbians as Community Other Mothers

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About