Not for mothers only

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Renate Papke

This study consists of two parts. The first part offers an overview of feminism’s theory of differences. The second part deals with the textual analysis of poems about ‘mothering’ by women from India, the Caribbean and Africa. Literary criticism has dealt with the representation of ‘mothering’ in prose texts. The exploration of lyrical texts has not yet come. Since the late 1970s, the acknowledgement of and the commitment to difference has been foundational for feminist theory and activism. This investigation promotes a differentiated, ‘locational’ feminism (Friedman). The comprehensive theoretical discussion of feminism’s different concepts of ‘gender’, ‘race’, ‘ethnicity’ and ‘mothering’ builds the foundation for the main part: the presentation and analysis of the poems. The issue of ‘mothering’ foregrounds the communicative aspect of women’s experience and wants to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This study, however, does not intend to specify ‘mothering’ as a universal and unique feminine characteristic. It underlines a metaphorical use and discusses the concepts of ‘nurturing’, ‘maternal practice’ and ‘social parenthood’. Regarding the extensive material, this study understands itself as an explorative not concluding investigation placed at the intersections of gender studies, postcolonial and classical literary studies. Most of all, it aims at initiating a dialogue and interchange between scholars and students in the Western and the ‘Third World’.

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Jill Day

Compiled from the resources of the Australian Breastfeeding Association booklets on specific breastfeeding situations and the experiences of over 170,000 Australian women members of the Association.

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Diane Eyer

Mothers today feel guilty. The parenting and women's magazines ask you to weigh how your job affects your child. Employers blame you for taking family time. Politicians blame you for the decline of "family values." Do mothers really deserve all this blame? In her provocative new book, Motherguilt, psychologist Diane Eyer probes the origins of this culture of blaming mothers - and encouraging them to blame themselves. She asserts that it is the very sources of parenting advice to which mothers turn for help that make them feel guilty. In fact, parenting experts and social scientists provide the foundation for the growing chorus of motherblame. Writing with scholarship, passion, and wit, Dr. Eyer argues that scapegoating mothers for society's ills is merely a convenient smoke screen for the real culprit: the national neglect of children and our utter failure to provide a national child-care program. This revolutionary book champions mothers against the bogus accusations of science and politics and paves the way for refocusing our concern on our nation's children.

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Glade B. Curtis, Judith Schuler

"With millions of copies sold worldwide, <B>Your Pregnancy Week by Week</B> is the established go-to resource for expectant parents time and time again. The book's trademark week-by-week formula helps expectant parents compare the details of their pregnancy with the same weekly schedule their doctor uses--easily and effortlessly.In this completely revised seventh edition, parents-to-be will find the latest information on preparing for their baby's birth as well as many new topics addressing today's most pressing questions and concerns. Compassionate, reassuring, and medically grounded, this guide provides everything expectant parents need for a healthy, happy pregnancy, including descriptions of the fetus's development each week, up-to-date information about medical tests and procedures, safe weekly exercises to help expectant moms stay in shape, and helpful hints for the father-to-be"-- "Please file under Pregnancy. With millions of copies sold worldwide, Your Pregnancy Week by Week is the established go-to resource for expectant parents time and time again. The book's trademark week-by-week formula helps expectant parents compare the details of their pregnancy with the same weekly schedule their doctor uses--easily and effortlessly.In this completely revised seventh edition, parents-to-be will find the latest information on preparing for their baby's birth as well as many new topics addressing today's most pressing questions and concerns. Compassionate, reassuring, and medically grounded, this guide provides everything expectant parents need for a healthy, happy pregnancy, including descriptions of the fetus's development each week, up-to-date information about medical tests and procedures, safe weekly exercises to help expectant moms stay in shape, and helpful hints for the father-to-be"--