The Paradox of Natural Mothering

by Chris Bobel

Book Overview

Single or married, working mothers are, if not the norm, no longer exceptional. These days, women who stay at home to raise their children seem to be making a radical lifestyle choice. Indeed, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566399076
• ISBN13: 9781566399074
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Temple University Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A fascinating book about a fascinating subject - though could use more "meat"

As one of those "mainstream mothers" whom natural parents love to disdain, I've been following the phenomenon of natural parenting, online and in real life, in the 9 years since I myself became a parent. I've come to many of the same conclusions the author has: That "natural" mothers emphasize feeling rather than thinking (especially critical thinking) about their parenting choices, that the phenomenon has a decidedly religious/cult-like "feel" to it (while conflating their personal intuition with general human instinct), how this type of parenting is as much a social construct as any other parenting method, and that it involves nature-worship to a variable degree. I was especially impressed how, though the author herself partially identifies with "natural" parenting, she was still able to think critically about it. All this makes for a very good dissertation, but I think, as a book, there's plenty that could have been added and expanded upon, examples being: * The "science" that NM's use to bolster their credos with (such as Harlow's experiments with monkeys); * The tension between the bare-bones definition of AP/NP ("Listen to your baby's cues") and the various practices NM's take pride in enumerating - extended breastfeeding, babywearing , etc.; * Internet soundbites to illustrate what NM's really believe about themselves, the world and other parents and what they say when they think nobody's watching (there's plenty of interesting material to be found on websites like Motheringdotcommune and Alternamoms); * The author couldn't have known this in 2001, but there is a reason in 2006 to discuss the pitfalls and dangers of NM - especially in the wake of the preventable death of Eliza Jane Scovill from AIDS (her mother, Christine Maggiore, was prominently and favorably featured on the cover of Mothering Magazine in 2001). Overall, an important book that should be read - preferably before one becomes a parent.

Great book!

While away with my husband on our first no-child weekend, I devoured this book on the beach. While I found the title confusing, the topics, interviews and general propositions were fascinating and engaging. Also, as a new Mom who struggles with the perennial balance between work, motherhood, and precious and rare time for self and marriage, I found so much of this book to be supportive. Moms are always grappling with the 'right thing to do' and this book carried me a long way both emotionally and intellectually.

Natural Mothering: Subject for Men too!

I found this book exceptionally interesting even though I will never be a mother myself because I am a man. Bobel takes the reader into the lives of five women in particular and expresses clearly the benefits and differences in the way mothering has changed and how it is being preserved. I think there is a lot in this book for men and women alike.

Complex view of mothering

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the way mothers shape, resist and reflect our society. It takes a complex look at a group of mothers whom Bobel identifies as 'natural mothers' and how their style of mothering both resists and submits to 'conventional' parenting and societal norms. Well written and extremely interesting, The Paradox of Natural Mothering also gives the reader an introduction to many 'alternative' ways of mothering, including family bed, extended breast feeding and home schooling. An excellent book!

Really good book

I am a new mother and have spent a lot of time searching the web for parenting books. I came by this book by chance and ordered it immediately. Although I don't agree with everything the author says, I think she does a really good job of presenting the mothers who she talked to in a really fair way, and the book kept me interested from start to finish. I learned a lot about mothering, and about how the choices I make as a mother affect the rest of the world. It was definitely one of the best books that I've found on parenting, and I've even passed it on to my husband to read!