Time, Temporality and Motherhood

This edited collection explores the influence of time and temporality on motherhood, challenging the linear notion of time and highlighting the embodied and stretched nature of time in mothering experiences. It brings together research from various disciplines and countries, with contributions from scholars, visual artists, and a fiction writer.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Becoming a mother is a complex and multifaceted experience that is influenced not only by place and space but also by time and temporality. This edited collection explores the complexity and multiple temporalities that surround mothering, such as dreaming about, predicting, and planning birth, delays in a baby arriving into the world, waiting and anticipating birth, laboring for periods of time that become blurred, and raising a child. Through maternal bodies, it can be seen that time is not linear but stretched and punctuated in embodied ways. The book brings together research from a range of disciplinary and country contexts, with contributions from scholars, visual artists, and a fiction writer.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of time on motherhood. Time can be a source of anxiety and stress for mothers, as they are constantly juggling the demands of work, family, and personal life. However, time can also be a source of joy and fulfillment, as mothers watch their children grow and develop. The book explores the ways in which mothers navigate the challenges of time, such as managing work-life balance, dealing with unexpected events, and finding time for themselves.

Another theme of the book is the impact of space on motherhood. Space can be a physical space, such as a home or a workplace, or a social space, such as a community or a social network. The book explores the ways in which mothers use space to create a sense of identity and belonging, and to support their children's development. For example, mothers may use their homes to create a safe and nurturing environment for their children, or to engage in social activities with other mothers.

The book also explores the ways in which time and space intersect with each other. For example, mothers may experience time as a constraint when they are working, but may also experience space as a source of comfort and support when they are at home. The book explores the ways in which mothers can navigate these intersecting temporalities and spatialities to create a sense of coherence and well-being in their lives.

One of the challenges of studying motherhood is the fact that it is a highly personal and subjective experience. Mothers have different experiences and perspectives, and their experiences can be shaped by a range of factors, such as their cultural background, socioeconomic status, and personal beliefs. The book recognizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting these differences, and provides a platform for mothers to share their stories and experiences.

The book also includes a range of case studies that illustrate the different ways in which mothers navigate the challenges of time and space. These case studies include mothers who work full-time, mothers who are single parents, mothers who have children with special needs, and mothers who are immigrants. The case studies provide a rich and detailed understanding of the experiences of mothers, and help to highlight the ways in which mothers can overcome these challenges and create a fulfilling and meaningful life.

In conclusion, this edited collection provides a distinctive contribution to motherhood studies by addressing how becoming a mother is influenced not just by place and space but also by time and temporality. It explores the complexity and multiple temporalities that surround mothering, such as dreaming about, predicting, and planning birth, delays in a baby arriving into the world, waiting and anticipating birth, laboring for periods of time that become blurred, and raising a child. Through maternal bodies, it can be seen that time is not linear but stretched and punctuated in embodied ways. The book brings together research from a range of disciplinary and country contexts, with contributions from scholars, visual artists, and a fiction writer. It recognizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting the differences of mothers, and provides a platform for mothers to share their stories and experiences.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138729964