ABSTRACT
Feminist mothering entails the distinct approach of combining feminism with parenting. As a political act, it is fundamental to theorizing the lived experiences of mothers/mothering and has the potential to redefine motherhood and to undermine and transform patriarchal culture at large. Three prevailing themes can be identified within the unique experiences of feminist mothering: understanding, troubling and opposing the institution of motherhood; viewing feminist mothering as an empowered and political act; and practicing matroreform through claiming motherhood power by instituting new mothering rules and practices. A central issue in the field is understanding that while feminist mothering entails empowered mothering, empowered mothering does not always include feminist maternal practice. In response to developments that attend to the complexity, plasticity and fluidity of sex, gender and sexuality within feminism and feminist mothering, questions are raised regarding who and what is included in the exploration and practice of feminist mothering. The theory of intersectionality, which has contributed significantly to feminist theory and feminist mothering, is central to disrupting the dualistic and binary social structures that divide people into categories of either/or related to gender, sex and mothering. Including the perspectives of men and masculinities continues to facilitate the disruption of gender-essentialist beliefs about mothering and care norms. Further research is needed to investigate the application of feminism and feminist mothering practices within the difficult contexts of mothers living in poverty, with disabilities, in war and conflict zones and in refugee situations.
