Mothers and their children : a feminist sociology of childrearing / Jane Ribbens.

  • Ribbens McCarthy, Jane
Date:
1994
  • Books

About this work

Description

This book presents a fresh approach to the analysis of childrearing a topic on which there is a surfeit of opinions and advice but little sociological research and analysis. By focusing on mothers' own understandings of their childrearing, the author reveals how differences in childrearing are rooted in fundamental ideas about the nature of social life and the place of the individual and the family within it. Jane Ribbens' challenging and accessible discussion covers the broad cultural concepts of family, individuality and the nature of childhood. She analyses the implications of mothers' ideas about these concepts for key childrearing preoccupations of time, discipline and the independence of children. An important theme that emerges is the diversity behind the image of the 'ordinary family'. Drawing on empirical evidence of mothers' concerns and understanding of childrearing, the author illustrates how issues of power and the public/private divide are negotiated in the daily lives of mothers and their children. Mothers and Their Children encompasses both vivid portraits of the lives and concerns of mothers, and an enlightening discussion of key sociological concepts and debates. It will be of central interest to students of sociology, family studies, women's studies, and developmental psychology, as well as to professionals directly involved in issues of childrearing and family life.

Publication/Creation

London ; Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications, 1994.

Physical description

236 pages : black and white illustrations ; 23 cm

Related material

This item was donated as part of The Women's Health Library archive held by Wellcome Collection, reference SA/WHL https://wellcomecollection.org/works/fjg4s86y

Bibliographic information

Includes bibliographical references (pages 216-231) and index.

Contents

Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- pt. I. Childrearing in Context -- 1. Childrearing, Psychology and Sociology -- 2. The Feminist Study of Childrearing -- 3. Individuals, Families and Children -- 4. Friends and Relations -- pt. II. Portraits of Childrearing in Four Middle Income Households -- Introduction to the Portraits -- 5. Fitting Children into Adult Frameworks -- 6. Fitting in around the Children -- Overview of the Portraits -- pt. III. Developing the Pictures -- 7. Conceptions of Children -- 8. Childrearing Philosophies in Action -- 9. Sociology and Childrearing Reconsidered -- Appendix: Further Details of the Sample -- References -- Index.

Notes

Copy 1. Donor: This item was originally held in the Women's Health Library. It was donated to Wellcome in 2016 by the Feminist Library, which acted as temporary custodian following the closure of Women's Health in 2006.
Copy 1. Former Women's Health Library shelfmark: Be

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Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    M25741

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Identifiers

ISBN

  • 0803988354
  • 9780803988354