The Mask of Motherhood: How Becoming a Mother Changes Everything and Why We Pretend It Doesn't
An examination of the private realities of early motherhood
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AlbakiReads Editorial
An examination of the private realities of early motherhood
Susan Maushart examines the gap between cultural expectations of motherhood and the feelings many women may hesitate to voice. Drawing on her perspective as a sociologist and mother of three, she addresses the emotional extremes associated with becoming a parent alongside changes in marriage, friendship, family relationships, sexuality, and self-esteem. The book frames these pressures through the idea of a “mask”: the public performance of coping and contentment that can make difficult experiences feel isolating. Its subject is not childcare instruction but the social and personal adjustments surrounding maternal identity.
Good fit for readers who enjoy
- New mothers seeking discussion of the emotional and relational changes of motherhood
- Parents interested in the social expectations placed on mothers
- Readers of family and relationship nonfiction
Themes
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