Customer Reviews

Engendering Motherhood: Identity and Self-Transformation in Women's Lives

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McMahon's book hit that sweet-spot between academic rigor and main-stream readability. Her excellent research into the institution of motherhood as experienced by mothers themselves formed the foundation of a brilliant analysis of what factors both precede and emerge through the mothering experience. One of the aspects that most impressed me was her detailed (and accessible) explanation of her methodology. For anyone considering a grounded theory approach to his or her own research, this book offers an excellent primer. Then, she puts it in motion with narrative-rich depth, remaining simultaneously dedicated to her research question and giving authentic voice to each and every participant. This is grounded theory at its best. Especially when considering the relative narrative silence of "ambivalent" mothers, this kind of research is critical as it unapologetically tackles one of the most far-reaching social dilemmas of our day: how do we mother (a communal enterprise)in a modern culture obsessed with individualism and competition? McMahon, true to her academic obligations, refuses to drift into polemics and keeps her eye on the ball at all times: what is the narrative hue of modern motherhood? A must-read for both academics and interested lay readers.