ERIC Number: EJ957283
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Jan
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0090-4392
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Where's the Feminism in Mothering?
D'Arcy, Catherine; Turner, Colleen; Crockett, Belinda; Gridley, Heather
Journal of Community Psychology, v40 n1 p27-43 Jan 2012
This article is a reflective narrative bringing together personal, collective, and action learning reflections from three women: all mothers, feminists, and community psychology practitioners. Its focus on mothering highlights the interconnectedness and tensions across these roles, as well as the shared learnings arising from this collaboration. The article draws on our experiences in two participatory action research projects in different parts of Melbourne, Australia, to illustrate how our feminism informed approaches to improving mothers' and children's well-being within a community environment. Learnings for practice include the importance of support and partnership with and empowerment of mothers in all their diversity, and of community change towards communal and child-centered structures. The combined community psychology and feminist focus may assist those working with mothers in other communities. Sociocultural and political considerations include individualistic notions of motherhood, judgements about "good" and "neglectful" mothers, and lack of priority for children's needs in community contexts. (Contains 1 footnote.)
Descriptors: Feminism, Mothers, Action Research, Experiential Learning, Community Change, Foreign Countries, Psychology, Psychologists, Well Being, Young Children, Family Counseling, Family Environment, Family Needs, Social Change, One Parent Family, Reflection
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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