Australian Mothering

This collection defines the field of maternal studies in Australia for the first time. Leadingmotherhood researchers explore how mothering has evolved across Australian history as well asthe joys and challenges of being a mother today. The contributors cover pregnancy, birth,relationships, childcare, domestic violence, time use, work, welfare, policy and psychology, froma diverse range of maternal perspectives. Utilising a matricentric feminist framework, Australian Motheringforegrounds the experiences, emotions and perspectives of mothers to betterunderstand how Australian motherhood has developed historically and contemporaneously.Drawing upon their combined sociological and historical expertise, Bueskens and Pascoe Leahyhave carefully curated a collection that presents compelling research on past and presentperspectives on maternity in Australia, which will be relevant to researchers, advocates andpolicy makers interested in the changing role of mothers in Australian society.