Contemplating Maternity in an Era of Choice
Explorations into Discourses of Reproduction
Contributions by Jaime E. Bochantin, Kirsten J. Broadfoot, Jennifer J. Bute, Patrice Buzzanell, Renee L. Cowan, Summer R. Cunningham, Suzy D'Enbeau, Bonnie J. Dow, John Duckworth, Jennifer Emerling Bone, Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz, Karen A. Foss, Elissa Foster, Cindy L. Griffin Colorado State University, Lynn M. Harter, Erika L. Kirby, Charlotte Kroløkke, Beth Meyers-Bass, D Lynn O'Brien Hallstein, Catherine H. Palczewski, Amy R. Pearson, Jennifer Sandoval, Marie Thompson, Lori West Peterson, Julia T. Wood Edited by Sara Hayden University of Montana, O'Brien Hallstein Boston University
Publication date:
14 June 2010Length of book:
356 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksDimensions:
239x165mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780739138908
Women who came of age in the late twentieth century were raised in the era of choice; they grew up believing that reproductive decision-making is a political right, a responsibility of women living the successes of second wave feminism, and under their control. Contemplating Maternity in an Era of Choice: Explorations into Discourses of Reproduction explores contemporary maternity both within and in light of these late-twentieth century understandings. Employing a variety of feminist communication approaches, the volume's contributors discuss how discourses of choice shape and are shaped by women's identities and experiences as (non)mothers and how those same discourses affect and reflect private practices and public policies related to reproduction and motherhood. Through this process, the contributors illustrate a variety of ways of conducting feminist thinking, research, and practices within the communication discipline. Major sub-disciplines within communication studies are represented here including feminist organizational, interpersonal, rhetorical, critical/cultural, and social movement studies. Whereas many of the previous scholarly investigations into maternity highlight only one aspect or phase of motherhood, Contemplating Maternity in an Era of Choice is unique because it investigates discourses of choice across the arc of maternity and as enacted through various (non)maternal subject positions.
Hayden and O'Brien Hallstein offer an engaging and rigorously-researched collection of essays exploring the complexities of contemporary maternity in the era of choice. The book overviews the history of reproductive rights, the larger discourses that enable and constrain parenting decisions, and stories of how parenting 'choices' not only impact mothers and fathers, but also family members, coworkers, purposively child-free individuals, and society at large. This edited edition brings together familiar dilemmas of work-life balance, infertility and the politics of choice, while accessing voices that are more often silenced in such discussions. In doing so, Contemplating Maternity in an Era of Choice provides a compendium of insight that is valuable for those interested in work-life, feminism, reproduction, family communication, popular culture and social movements.