The Making of Modern Motherhoods Project

The majority of women are having babies later, while a minority have children while still teenagers. As we enter the new millennium motherhood seems both to mark the end of childhood and the onset of middle age. So, what does 'motherhood' means to today's first time mothers? How has its meaning changed over the course of a generation? Could motherhood be a new site of social division or solidarity?

The aim of the study is to provide a picture of what it means to be a mother in the twenty first century. Using a combination of individual interviews and cultural analysis we will explore how contemporary women imagine motherhood and how the identity of mother sits with other identities such as 'worker', 'daughter', 'lover' and 'citizen'. We want to know how identities are made in practice, and the part played by advice books, magazines and also people such as friends, partners, professionals and relatives. How does the arrival of a new generation impact on the relationship between mothers and daughters, can we see boundaries, responsibilities, duties and identities realign?

The study is one part of an important programme of studies into Identities and Social Action. It will run between January 2005 - the end of 2007 and will involve 100 interviews with mothers in the UK, including 12 intergenerational case studies.

Two leaflets are available with information about the interviews (pdf) and case studies (pdf). For further information on getting involved with this project, see the pages on interviews and case studies on this site.