Autonomous Motherhood?: A Socio-Legal Study of Choice and Constraint

Boyd, Susan B.; Chunn, Dorothy E.; Kelly, Fiona; Wiegers, Wanda

ISBN 10: 1442626453 / ISBN 13: 9781442626454

Published by Guidance Centre, University of Toronto, Faculty of Education, 2015

About this Item

288.

Seller Inventory # 26372293760

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Autonomous Motherhood?: A Socio-Legal Study of Choice and Constraint
• Publisher: Guidance Centre, University of Toronto, Faculty of Education
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1442626453
• ISBN 13: 9781442626454
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Since the end of the Second World War, increasing numbers of women have decided to become mothers without intending the biological father or a partner to participate in parenting. Many conceive via donor insemination or adopt; others become pregnant after a brief sexual relationship and decide to parent alone.

Using a feminist socio-legal framework, Autonomous Motherhood? probes fundamental assumptions within the law about the nature of family and parenting. Drawing on a range of empirical evidence, including legislative history, case studies, and interviews with single mothers, the authors conclude that while women may now have the economic and social freedom to parent alone, they must still negotiate a socio-legal framework that suggests their choice goes against the interests of society, fatherhood, and children.

About the Author

Susan B. Boyd is a professor and holds the Chair in Feminist Legal Studies in the Faculty of Law at the University of British Columbia. Dorothy E. Chunn is a professor emerita of sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Simon Fraser University. Fiona Kelly is a senior lecturer in the School of Law at La Trobe University. Wanda Wiegers is a professor in the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan.