Mothers Archives

Social Justice

In the United States, Single Motherhood Is Bad for Your Health

As privileged women increasingly embrace their “inner spinster,” a new study offers a timely reminder that single motherhood still comes with serious, material disadvantages for most women in this country.

Maya Dusenbery

Environment

Subsisting on the Faves

Posting teen angst poetry and being part of an active commenting community helped Christine Friar digest the garden-variety pain of growing up, and—unbeknownst to her at the time—curbed the loneliness of being raised by one sick parent and one caretaker parent.

Christine Friar

Social Justice

Single, Childless, and Empowered

Two new books provide honest reflections on the growing trend of opting out.

Lisa Levy

Social Justice

Our C-Section Rate Won’t Budge—Is It Because We Don’t Trust Women’s Hormones?

An unprecedented new report looking at the biochemical mechanisms linked to birth and breastfeeding suggests that over-treatment in the delivery room is having lasting, harmful effects on both mothers and children.

Jennifer Block

News in Brief

The Rise of Prison Nurseries

"Even a prison cannot ignore biology."

Jessica Pishko

Economics

The Unseen Consequences of Pumping Breast Milk

Exclusive pumping is becoming more popular among American moms, often seen as a way moms can “have it all.” Meanwhile, the effects on maternal and infant health—and workplace policies—are rarely discussed.

Olivia Campbell

Social Justice

Mothers (and Others) Can Make Good Fathers, Too

It’s time for a less strict and judgmental definition of what makes for a functioning family.

Michele Weldon

Economics

Rabenmutter: Germany Waging the War for Talent Without Women

Germany is facing a serious talent shortage, but the country continues to stigmatize working mothers, who are already underpaid and underemployed.

Jim Russell

Social Justice

Should Moms Hate Childless Women?

Adrienne Rich calls attention to a ubiquitous system that pits women against each other. Recognizing it should help us to encourage and support instead.

Lisa Wade