Some foundations of feminist scholarship into motherhood and non-motherhood
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Whether by-choice, not-by-choice, or in-between.
The Empty Cradle exists to bring the many and diverse lived experiences of involuntary childlessness, both grief and renewal, into the public narrative.
We are women who had hoped, or deeply hoped to be mothers, and for whatever reason, it didn’t happen for us.
Feminist scholarship into motherhood and choosing not to have children (childfree-by-choice) have important foundations in the 1970s. The important concepts of patriarchal motherhood (Rich, 1976) and feminist perspectives on pronatalism (Peck and Senderowitz, 1974) were published.
Patriarchal motherhood is socially conservative motherhood where women are expected to be in traditional roles, and it includes a critique of the nuclear family, capitalism and the construction of our social relationships and reproductive lives.
Pronatalism is the policy or practice of encouraging the bearing of children, especially government support of a higher birthrate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalism).
On the face of it, pronatalism seems great. Even admirable. Who wouldn’t agree that parents might need lots of support in becoming and being parents, and in many countries they do both through government programs and extended networks. And there can almost always be more.
Yet, in addition to this worthy construct, pronatalism can have a shadow side.
In 1974, Peck and Senderowitz added to the definition of pronatalism, the practice of stigmatising and de-valuing of non-parents. Their definition of pronatalism is:
“An attitude or policy that is pro-birth, that encourages reproduction, that exalts the role of parenthood”
Peck and Senderowitz, 1974 cited in Carroll, 2012
There are some guiding principles to consider. The most important of these are human rights, reproductive freedoms and reproductive justice.
Feminist scholarship suggests that either forced parenthood (without personal freedom or full personal consent), or the practice of devaluing, stigmatizating, isolating or cultural-annihiliating non-parents, is unacceptance.
Feminist scholarship into the experience of permanent involuntary childlessness and involuntary childlessness began with important foundational work by Gayle Letherby.
You might be interested in hearing our free webinar with Gayle Letherby.
Constructing Worthiness: An intimate conversation between Gayle Letherby and Sarah Roberts
Pronatalism impacts on our experiences as non-parents every day. Whether the reason we are non-parents is by-choice, not-by-choice or anywhere-in-between.
Pronatalism can occur when we are excluded from social events, or kept out of important family decision making or conversations. When we are triggered or responded to insensitively in political discourse, government policy, cultural and social spaces.
It can appear in context where our parenting friends have their friendships nurtured over ours, or might be seen as more mature adults.
Sometimes the political discourse can get quite threatening, where our lives might be seen as pointless or being described as “not having a stake in humanity’s future”.
To be honest, as a mature adult woman without children, this is actually feels pretty disrespectful, and it makes me think, how many childless women do you actually know?
Cause we are freaking amazing!!
We asked to be treated with respect in all our personal relationships and within cultural narratives and social policy.
We are deeply loving, soulful and beautiful women, are if you are lucky, one day one of us might choose to nurture a friendship with you.
Warmly, Sarah
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Some foundations of feminist scholarship into motherhood and non-motherhood
Whether by-choice, not-by-choice, or in-between. The Empty Cradle exists to bring the many and diverse lived experiences of involuntary childlessness, both grief and renewal, into the public narrative. We are women who had hoped, or deeply hoped to be mothers, and for whatever reason, it didn’t happen for us. Feminist scholarship into motherhood and choosing…
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Come, experience the life changing magic of Jody Day’s Gateway Women Reignite Weekend This workshop really is a balm for your tender heart and precious soul. Women in our community are just amazing!!! This workshop is lovingly co-facilitated by Sarah Roberts from the Empty Cradle and Judy Graham from Womenhood Counselling. For over five years,…
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Starting in March 2025 Express your interest today Needs a quick overview of the program here. Expression of interest is now open to receive information and go on the waiting list for applications starting Very much looking forward to sharing this life-changing group experience with you. Warmly, Sarah Roberts Express Interest Includes Includes Application and…
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