Danish Mothers On-Screen

This book explores how motherhood and femininity are portrayed in contemporary Danish state-supported screen fiction, combining content analysis, policy documents, and interviews with industry professionals. It argues that while Danish state policy promotes gender equality and universal social support, screen fiction challenges these narratives by problematizing working mother characters and questioning the integrity of the welfare system. It suggests that femininity, motherhood, and citizenship are framed in ways that reflect cultural concerns about the institutionalization of caregiving and the absence of mothers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 207 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This groundbreaking book combines a comprehensive content analysis of film and television cases, an in-depth examination of policy documents, and first-hand interview material with Danish industry professionals to explore the intricate relationship between media imagery and welfare state social policy. By tracing the pivotal moments in media and welfare state history, the book aims to unite these two overlapping spheres, shedding light on how motherhood and femininity are portrayed in contemporary state-supported Danish screen fiction.

In the realm of industry, where state funding and public service values reign supreme, Danish screen fiction emerges as a powerful force, shaping and communicating cultural norms while fostering a sense of belonging and a shared identity among its audience. Consequently, it becomes imperative to identify and examine representational trends and patterns in popular media formats. This book makes a compelling argument that the political narrative of gender equality, democracy, and universal social support that permeates Danish state policy is undermined in screen fiction. Here, working mother characters are often problematized, and the integrity of the welfare system is challenged.

Furthermore, the book asserts that the framing of femininity, motherhood, and citizenship in many contemporary Danish films and television dramas indicates a cultural concern about the welfare states institutionalization of caregiving. It presents absent mothers as an indirect cause of crime, trauma, or social unrest, highlighting the complexities and contradictions within the societal discourse surrounding these topics.

Through its comprehensive approach, this groundbreaking book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between media imagery, welfare state social policy, and cultural representations. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and industry professionals alike, contributing to our understanding of the evolving dynamics between media, society, and the welfare state.

Weight: 293g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030885816
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021