CFP: Intensive Mothering: The Cultural Contradictions Of Modern Motherhood

CALL FOR PAPERS Demeter Press is seeking submissions for an edited collection Intensive Mothering: The Cultural Contradictions Of Modern Motherhood Editor: Dr. Linda Ennis DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS: March 1, 2013!

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Sharon Hays' landmark book, "The Cultural Contradictions of Motherhood", this collection will revisit Hays' concept of "intensive mothering" as a continuing, yet controversial representation of modern motherhood. In Hays' original work, she spoke of "intensive mothering" as primarily being conducted by mothers, centered on children's needs with methods informed by experts, which are labour-intensive and costly simply because children are entitled to this maternal investment. While respecting the important need for connection between mother and baby that is prevalent in the teachings of Attachment Theory, this collection raises into question whether an over-investment of mothers in their children's lives is as effective a mode of parenting, as being conveyed by representations of modern motherhood. In a world where independence is encouraged, why are we still engaging in "intensive motherhood"? Topics can also include (but are not limited to): Reconciling early childhood theory with intensive mothering; the impact of Sharon Hays work; comparing intensive motherhood today with that of the 90s; motives behind intensive mothering; independence and dependency; working/stay-at-home mothers and intensive motherhood; empty nest and intensive mothering; the mommy track and intensive mothering; intensive mothering throughout the life-span; fathers and intensive mothering; economics of intensive motherhood; self-centeredness, perfectionism and intensive motherhood; ambivalence, guilt and intensive mothering; career success and intensive mothering; education and intensive mothering; the role of the school in condoning intensive motherhood; the decline of the family unit and intensive mothering; the use of technology to maintain intensive mothering; single mothers and intensive mothering; immigrant mothers and intensive mothering; grandmothers and intensive mothering; intensive mothering from a distance; intensive mothering and medical well-being; depression and intensive mothering; stories about intensive mothering experiences; intensive motherhood, as portrayed in literature.

Submission Guidelines Abstracts: 250 words. Please include a 50-word biography Deadline for abstracts is March 1, 2013 Please send submissions and inquiries directly to: Dr. Linda Ennis lrennis@rogers.com Completed manuscripts not exceeding 20 pages will be due September 2014, and should conform to MLA guidelines. Acceptance is contingent and will depend upon the strength and fit of the final piece. Demeter Press 140 Holland St. West, PO 13022 Bradford, ON L3Z 2Y5 Tel: (905) 775-9089 www.demeterpress.org / info@demeterpress.org Disclosure: I am getting a complementary membership to MIRCI and subscription to the journal in return for posting these updates. It is, however, something I would have agreed to do for free because I think their work is so wonderful.