Making Sense of Motherhood A Narrative Approach [Hardcover]

This 2005 book charts the social, cultural and moral contours of contemporary motherhood.Becoming a mother changes lives in many ways and this book explores how women try to make sense of, and narrate their experiences of first-time motherhood in industrialised society. It charts the social, cultural and moral contours of contemporary motherhood and engages with sociological and feminist debates on how selves are constituted, maintained and narrated. Drawing on original research and narrative theory it also explores the disjuncture that often exists between personal experience and public discourse and the cultural dimensions of expert knowledge.Becoming a mother changes lives in many ways and this book explores how women try to make sense of, and narrate their experiences of first-time motherhood in industrialised society. It charts the social, cultural and moral contours of contemporary motherhood and engages with sociological and feminist debates on how selves are constituted, maintained and narrated. Drawing on original research and narrative theory it also explores the disjuncture that often exists between personal experience and public discourse and the cultural dimensions of expert knowledge.Becoming a mother changes lives in many ways, and this book explores how women try to make sense of, and narrate their experiences of, first-time motherhood in industrialized society. It charts the social, cultural and moral contours of contemporary motherhood and engages with sociological and feminist debates on how selves are constituted, maintained and narrated.Dedication; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. The storied human life: a narrative approach; 2. Making sense of motherhood: cultural scripts; 3. Setting the Western context: mothering in late-modern society; 4. Anticipating motherhood: the antenatal period; 5. Making sense of early mothering experiences; 6. A return to normal: becoming the expert; 7. Conclusions and reflections: making sense of motherhood; Refel“%