ABSTRACT

The relationship between mothers and sons has been explored for ages. From Oedipus to Al Brooks' Mother, we are fascinated by the familial bond between a mother and her son. This groundbreaking work looks at many untouched areas of the mother-son relationship including race, sexuality and ability. The contributors to this collection speak from the heart and explore how the institution of motherhood oppresses women, impedes mother-son identification and fosters sexism. The impact of the feminist movement on the mother-son relationship, which has been previously neglected in literature, is explored in-depth in Mothers and Sons _ . These deeply personal reflections includes stories of lesbian mothers identifying challenges in raising sons in our heterosexist culture as well as black mothers and sons and Jewish mothers. For all with an interest in family issues, gender issues, or a new perspective on mothering, this book is a must read.

chapter |22 pages

Introduction

part I|96 pages

Mothering and Motherhood

chapter 1|17 pages

Who are we this Time?

An Excerpt from American Mom

chapter 2|14 pages

Mothering Sons with Special Needs

One Peacemaker's Challenge

chapter 3|15 pages

Masculinity, Matriarchy, and Myth

A Black Feminist Perspective

chapter 5|28 pages

In Black and White

Anglo-American and African-American Perspectives on Mothers and Sons

part II|64 pages

Men and Masculinities

chapter 6|20 pages

Swimming Against the Tide

Feminists'Accounts of Mothering Sons

chapter 7|16 pages

Feminist Academic Mothers' Influences

On their Sons' Masculinity

chapter 8|6 pages

Lesbians Raising Sons

Bringing up a New Breed of Men

chapter 9|20 pages

Can Boys Grow into Mothers?

Maternal Thinking and Fathers' Reflections

part III|82 pages

Mothers and Sons: Connections and Disconnections

chapter 11|18 pages

Attachment and Loss

chapter 12|16 pages

Mother-Son Relationships

In the Shadow of War

chapter 13|14 pages

This is Leave-Taking

Mothers, Signatures, and Countermemory