ABSTRACT
Neutered Mother" is a term that represents the conflict and contradiction generated in the context of many women's lives by negative images of motherhood and mothering. There are no longer formally different expectations for, or responses to, mothers and fathers in much of family law. However, it is my contention that in practice the egalitarian rhetoric of modern reforms results in unrealistic, punitive responses that are harmful to mothers and children. The idea of mother as a specifically gendered concept is cast by some feminists as particularly threatening to women's sense of individuality. Barbara Rothman exemplifies this reaction with the statement, I would like us to get rid of our 'mommy' and 'daddy' language. Although women as Mothers are not well represented in the legal or the political process, it is essential that their perspectives be articulated in the context of law and policy proposals. Yet feminists have been reluctant to make Mother a legislative agenda.
