Parenting Readings Flashcards
(131 cards)
What is a “stalled revolution” in family life?
It refers to the contradiction where most American mothers work outside the home, but the “ideal worker” is still seen as a man with no home obligations, and the “ideal parent” is still considered to be a mother focused on home care.
How does race and class affect the experience of motherhood in the U.S.?
African American mothers, including middle-class ones, have historically worked outside the home, and their experiences of motherhood and work differ from those of white mothers, who have faced more societal expectations to stay at home.
How do African American middle-class mothers view work and motherhood?
They often see paid employment as part of their motherhood duties, not as a detraction from them, and they rarely feel the need to justify working outside the home.
What role did African American women’s historical experience play in their approach to work and family?
Historically, African American women had to work outside the home, which influenced the development of positive views of womanhood and motherhood that integrated family, career, and community.
How do African American mothers view extended family and community in raising children?
They value extended family and community networks for childcare and support, which are seen as crucial for balancing work and family life, rather than as a backup.
How does culture influence African American middle-class mothers’ decisions to work?
Cultural expectations within their communities often view women’s paid work positively, with many seeing it as a way to model independence and self-reliance for their children.
What are “gendered expectations” in the context of the family?
Gendered expectations are societal norms that dictate how men and women should behave, particularly in terms of child-rearing and household labor, often leading to an unequal distribution of labor in heterosexual couples.
How does “doing gender” manifest in family life?
“Doing gender” in family life means expressing masculinity or femininity through household roles and interactions, shaped by cultural, social, and family expectations. For example, fathers might “do masculinity” by working outside the home, while mothers “do femininity” by managing caregiving. These behaviors, influenced by age, class, and culture, define how tasks and authority are divided within the family.
What impact does heteronormativity have on family structures?
Heteronormativity enforces the idea that heterosexual, nuclear families with a stay-at-home mother are the ideal, influencing both societal expectations and structural policies, even as family forms become more diverse.
How does heteronormativity affect same-sex and queer families?
Heteronormativity marginalizes same-sex and queer families, often excluding them from social and legal rights, and imposes norms that force them to adapt to the traditional heterosexual family model for recognition and equality.
What does “queering” family and motherhood mean?
“Queering” family and motherhood refers to any act of mothering that challenges or deconstructs societal norms around gender, family structure, and traditional roles, making room for diverse family configurations.
How do same-sex families challenge traditional assumptions about motherhood and family?
Same-sex families destabilize the idea of the traditional family by rejecting norms such as the biological father-mother structure and the gendered division of labor, simply by existing in everyday life.
What is an example of everyday resistance from same-sex families?
An example is when a parent changes forms asking for “Mother” and “Father” to reflect their family structure, challenging assumptions about gender and biological ties in family life.
How does queer family formation challenge heteronormative views of biology and reproduction?
Queer families often involve non-biological connections, such as egg or sperm donors, surrogates, or transgender individuals, thus challenging the biological foundation of “real” parenthood.
What challenges do non-biological parents in same-sex families face?
Non-biological parents, such as the second mother in a lesbian couple, often face challenges in gaining legitimacy within family and social institutions that prioritize biological ties.
How do same-sex and queer families challenge gendered divisions of labor in family roles?
Same-sex families, through activities like volunteering in schools or helping in classrooms, expose gendered assumptions about who should perform certain parenting tasks.
What is the “politics of sameness” in relation to same-sex families?
The politics of sameness pressures same-sex families to conform to heteronormative ideals, focusing on proving they are similar to heterosexual families, which obscures their unique strengths and contributions.
How does homonormativity affect same-sex families?
Homonormativity pressures gays and lesbians to conform to traditional heteronormative values like marriage, economic individualism, and family roles, often marginalizing those who do not fit these expectations.
What is the impact of homonormativity on social and legal rewards for same-sex families?
Same-sex families that resemble traditional, monogamous, and gender-conventional families are more likely to receive legal and social acceptance, while others, based on race, gender identity, or socioeconomic status, may face exclusion.
What is transgressive mothering?
Transgressive mothering involves families and mothers who defy heteronormative standards of gender, sexual orientation, and family structures, queering traditional roles and interactions with social institutions like motherhood and family.
How does queering motherhood challenge societal norms?
By queering motherhood, such as in the case of a masculine or trans-identified mother, societal assumptions about gender, sexuality, and family structures are disrupted, challenging the traditional alignment of femininity with mothering.
How do gay fathers disrupt heteronormative gender roles in parenting?
Gay fathers challenge the concept of “fathering a child” by adopting mother-like roles in parenting, despite not fitting traditional gender norms, and some gay men even identify as mothers in their parenting practices.
How does a masculine or gender-nonconforming appearance challenge perceptions of motherhood?
A masculine or gender-nonconforming mother disrupts the assumption that femininity is required for mothering, as seen in trans men or genderqueer parents, whose appearance challenges the association between reproduction, mothering, and femininity.
What does the concept of “single mother” reveal about social positions and gender?
Being a single mother highlights inequalities in parenting. Society often expects single mothers to handle both caregiving and financial responsibilities without adequate support. This can limit resources like affordable childcare, fair wages, and housing opportunities, making it harder for single mothers to provide for their families. It can also reduce their power, as they may face workplace discrimination, limited social support, or judgment for not fitting traditional family norms. Additionally, legal support can be insufficient—for example, they may struggle with custody battles, inadequate child support enforcement, or navigating complex legal systems that favor traditional two-parent households. These barriers make single motherhood especially challenging.
