The Good Mother Myth by Nancy Reddy is a non-fiction book published in 2024 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CsLWeS

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The book explores the historical and cultural construction of motherhood, challenging the idea of the "good mother" as a universal ideal. It examines the development of ideas about motherhood through the work of psychologists such as John Bowlby, Harry Harlow and Donald Winnicott, as well as the cultural impact of figures like Dr. Spock. Reddy also includes her own personal experiences of motherhood and academic research to demonstrate the way that cultural ideals of motherhood can be both pervasive and harmful.

Key themes of the book include:

• The myth of the "good mother" as a white, middle-class, stay-at-home mother, and how this image is a historical mirage that was only accessible to a portion of the white middle class for a short period of time.
• The influence of scientific research on motherhood, particularly the work of Bowlby, Harlow, and Ainsworth and how their work has been used to support the idea that mothers are solely responsible for their children’s well-being and development.
• The pressure on mothers to constantly research and optimize their parenting, often at the expense of their own well-being.
• The importance of community and shared caregiving, rather than the isolated nuclear family model promoted by attachment theory.
• The need for mothers to be seen as individuals with their own needs and desires, rather than just as mothers.

The book stands out for its combination of personal narrative, historical research, and social critique, making it both a compelling read and a valuable contribution to the discussion about motherhood.

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