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Arendell, Terry. “Conceiving and Investigating Motherhood: The Decade’s Scholarship.” Journal of Marriage and Family 62.4 (2000): 1192-1207 JSTOR. Web. 1 Dec 2009.
In this article, the author is discussing the research on motherhood that has taken place over the last decade. She attempts to summarize the research, and condense it, allowing the reader to find data and statistics located in one place. Arendell’s main argument is in reference to the study of motherhood in relation to the “norm.” That is, the ideal American family – White, middle class, married, stay-at-home-mom. She takes issue with this version as the ideal family, stressing that it turns the true norm of mothers – those that are single, employed, of color, or of a lower class – against themselves and leads to more dissatisfaction among mothers rather than more harmony.
One of the author’s main points in support of her argument is the idea of intensive mothering. She defines this as mothering that is “exclusive, wholly child centered, emotionally involving, and time consuming.” She also states that this form of mothering focuses on the mother in an almost damaging way. “The mother… is devoted to the care of others; she is self-sacrificing and ‘not a subject with her own needs and interests” (1194). This is contradictory to the ideal mother, who is happy and content to give all of her time and energy to her children. Intensive mothering is detrimental to the mother, and increases stress levels, which may in turn damage the child.
Another of her main points that I felt would be very helpful in my paper was made regarding mothers of color. She states: “Three issues… form the ‘bedrock’ of the ‘motherwork’ of women of color: survival, power, and identity. And motherwork is conducted not only on behalf of individual children but also on behalf of the larger social group in which they are situated” (1195). I felt that these three main ideas really showed well in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Beli seemed very focused on all of these ideals, and less on the ideal of intensive mothering, leaving the American reader to assume that she is a terrible mother. This kind of mother is in direct contrast with the ideal mother, who is only worried about her children, and is willing to sacrifice anything for their happiness. The mother of color focuses more intently on the adult her child will become and how this adult will fit in with his or her culture at large.
One other minor idea that might be useful in her article was a “universalist approach” to mothering, in which certain things are universally expected from a mother, regardless of any differentiating factors. These are “mothers foster and shape a profound affectional relationship, a deeply meaningful connection” (1194).
Another minor idea in her article was the politics and economics of motherhood. She cited research that stated women of color have the most pregnancies, and that while 25% of births in White, Latina, and Asian American women are to unwed mothers, 66% of births in Black women are to unwed mothers (1195).
Lastly, a minor detail I found interesting in her article was regarding contradictory feelings that many working mothers feel. She states, “These cultural contradictions – condemnation of working mothers even as most mothers work for pay – complicate women’s experiences and assessments of mothering” (1199). I was intrigued by this quote because it is so true. I know my mother likes to make all kinds of accusations against working mothers when she herself works two days a week. It’s kind of strange to think if how fundamentally demoralizing that cultural contradiction is. It is as if our culture is simultaneously saying women must work, and women must beat themselves up for working. What a strange world we live in.
A writer could use this article to support many arguments. I thought it would be the most useful for anyone writing about A Home at the End of the World or The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao simply because they both focus on mothers that are non-traditional, and not in keeping with the American ideal of intensive mothering. This article could also be used in any argument relating to mother-child relationships, or discrimination against minorities. I plan on using this article in relation to my paper discussing Beli, and the way that cultural expectations shape the ways that she raises her children in The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
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