Lecture 6 Flashcards
What is the motherhood mandate?
A main component of communal femininity. Pervasive assumption in our society that to be complete and successful a woman must have children. (not the case in other societies or historically)
What is myth number 1 about mothers and the opposing reality?
Myth: Mother love is believed to be innate and instinctive, not learned or on conditional circumstances
Reality: This myth obscures some circumstances; it may not be good to have a child. It is important to recognize mothers circumstances and environment and individual abilities as a condition of care.
What is myth number 2 about mothers and the opposing reality?
Myth: mothering is considered to be primarily an individual engagement between mother and child, rather than a social one (Called Intensive mothering)
Reality: Intensive mothering is an unrealistic expectation which arose in the past 30 years. Many other societies don’t do this.
What is the ideology of intensive mothering?
1) Mothers are the most necessary and capable parent
2) Parents happiness is derived primarily from children
3) Parent should always provide children with stimulating activities
4) Parenting is more difficult than work
5) A parent should always sacrifice their needs for the needs of a child
What can intensive mothering lead to?
Feeling responsible for every aspect of a child’s outcomes leads to negative mental health outcomes.
What are Sarah Hrdy’s beliefs on parenting?
Humans are cooperative breeders. Parenting used to be social. Multiple caregivers is essential to evolution
What is cooperative breeding?
Any species with allomothering assistance in both care and provisioning of young. Role of kin in “growing” children regardless of economic necessity or migration.
What is a mothers love and care dependent on?
Circumstance
In what ways do mothers in the workforce experience discrimination?
1) In terms of getting hired
2) In terms of wages
What was Connell et als study?
Does being a mother cause someone to be discriminated against in the workforce and why?
How was Connell et als study conducted?
Told undergrads there were there to assess job applicants in a communications company with a high salary. Also told that your selection will influence the decision. Had 2 same sex applicants in which parental status was manipulated. Resume either listed that they were a parent teacher association coordinator, or there was a letter from HR that told them they were a parent . Assesments were designed to determine how committed an applicant would be relative to other employees, and also rated candidates on a series of items designed to measure perceived competence.
What were the results of Connell et als study?
Competency for mothers was 10% lower than non mothers, and commitment ratings were 15% lower. Recommended salary was 11 000 dollars less. Recommended 84% of non-mothers for hire, and 47% of mothers.
Why is there discrimination to women in the workplace?
Because there is an idea that a good mother will give less of her time and energy to work.
What was Berdahl and Moon’s idea of “mommy tracked?”
This happens to working mothers. Stereotyped as incompetent and passed over for promotions
What is the motherhood wage gap?
Earnings losses incurred by mothers due to a woman exit from the labour market due to child care responsibilities. Gap is found in more than 12 countries in Europe and North America.
