Mothering, Time, and Antimaternalism: Motherhood Under Duress in the United States, 1920-1960

The book "Mothering, Time, and Antimaternalism" explores the diverse positions and meanings of motherhood by investigating understudied and marginalized mothers between 1920 and 1960. It examines antimaternalism discourse and how mothers responded to it, considering factors such as religion, class, race, ethnicity, gender, and immigration status. The book develops the historical context of American motherhood and how changing ideas influenced the construction and experiences of motherhood.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book aims to expand our understanding of the multifaceted perspectives and meanings of motherhood by delving into the understudied and marginalized mothers (rural itinerant, African American, and Irish Catholic American) between 1920 and 1960. Fueled by concerns surrounding feminism, a perceived loss of status and masculinity for men, racial tensions, and fears related to immigration, antimaternalism discourse blamed mothers for a wide array of social ills during the first half of the 20th century.

Mothering, Time, and Antimaternalism explores the ideas, practices, and representations of antimaternalism, as well as the ways in which mothers responded to these ideologies. Religion, class, race, ethnicity, gender, and immigration status are all analyzed as factors that shape maternal experiences. The book develops the historical context of American motherhood between 1920 and 1960, examining how shifting ideas, such as scientific motherhood, time efficiency, devaluation of domesticity, racial and religious bias, influenced the construction and experiences of motherhood.

This is a captivating and essential book that will appeal to students and scholars in history, gender studies, cultural studies, and sociology.

Weight: 600g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032369662