Introduction
The role of women in American society has changed tremendously during the last 50 years. Women started to enter the labour force and to free themselves from the restrictions of home. Starting to work outside their domestic realm, they became more independent and self-reliant. With the empowerment of women the role of mothers
started to change as well. No longer did mothers identify themselves only through their husbands and children but increasingly looked for possibilities to fulfill themselves outside the family and to take an active part in society. Expectations on mothers altered and with it the standard assumptions of motherhood were called into question and the vision of a new mother, a person who has her own needs, feelings and interests was emerging. Mothering was no longer regarded as women`s primary and sole mission but as one of many roles women could and did assume. Nevertheless, despite those changes the myth of the all-giving and self-devoting mother
did prevail and can even be found in American present-day society. Especially the media and advertisments still celebrate the ideal mother, whose only source of gratification is her family. Although the image of the mother as a mere child-rearer is out-of-date, those conventional forms of representation still exist and construct people`s understanding of motherhood.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Shifting Concepts of Mother Roles
- 3. The Representation of Mothers in YAL
- 3.1. Paul Zindel: The Pigman (1968)
- 3.2. Cynthia Voigt: A Solitary Blue (1983)
- 3.3. Paula Danziger: The Divorce Express (1982)
- 3.4. Margaret P. Haddix: Don't you dare read this, Mrs. Dunphrey (1996)
- 4. Images of Mothers in YAL and their Impact on Young Adult Readers
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines how young adult literature (YAL) portrays mothers and whether it reflects the changing roles of mothers in American society. It investigates if YAL mirrors contemporary realities and explores the impact of literary portrayals of mothers on adolescent readers. The study begins by examining the evolution of motherhood in American society, drawing on sociological and feminist perspectives. It then analyzes the representation of mothers in four selected YAL novels.
- The evolving role of mothers in American society and its impact on family dynamics.
- The depiction of mothers in contemporary young adult literature.
- The relationship between literary representations of mothers and the experiences of adolescent readers.
- The contrast between the idealized image of the “all-giving” mother and the realities of modern motherhood.
- The influence of societal changes and feminist perspectives on the understanding of motherhood.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central research question: How does young adult literature portray mothers, and does it reflect the changing roles and concepts of motherhood in contemporary American society? It highlights the significant transformations in women's roles over the past 50 years, including increased participation in the workforce and a shift towards greater independence and self-reliance. The chapter notes the persistence of the idealized image of the self-sacrificing mother despite these changes, emphasizing the need to explore how YAL addresses this complex reality and its potential influence on young readers.
2. Shifting Concepts of Mother Roles: This chapter delves into the evolving understanding of motherhood, distinguishing between its biological and sociological aspects. It contrasts older interpretations of motherhood, which emphasized instinct and biological determinism, with more contemporary perspectives that acknowledge motherhood as a social construct and a matter of personal choice. The chapter traces the historical shift from the traditional homemaker role for mothers to their increasing participation in the workforce, highlighting the complexities of balancing work and family responsibilities. It draws upon sociological studies to illustrate how women's expanding horizons and feminist movements have challenged conventional expectations of motherhood.
Frequently Asked Questions: Young Adult Literature and the Portrayal of Mothers
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes how young adult literature (YAL) portrays mothers and whether these portrayals reflect the evolving roles of mothers in American society. It investigates the impact of these literary representations on adolescent readers.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the evolving role of mothers in American society, the depiction of mothers in contemporary YAL, the relationship between literary representations and adolescent experiences, the contrast between idealized and realistic portrayals of motherhood, and the influence of societal changes and feminist perspectives on the understanding of motherhood.
Which novels are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes the representation of mothers in four young adult novels: Paul Zindel's The Pigman (1968), Cynthia Voigt's A Solitary Blue (1983), Paula Danziger's The Divorce Express (1982), and Margaret P. Haddix's Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey (1996).
How does the paper approach the topic of motherhood?
The paper examines motherhood from both biological and sociological perspectives, tracing the historical shift from traditional homemaker roles to the increased participation of women in the workforce. It considers the impact of feminist movements and societal changes on the understanding of motherhood.
What is the significance of the chosen novels?
The selection of novels allows for a comparative analysis of how mothers are portrayed across different eras and within varying contexts of family dynamics and societal changes. The analysis seeks to understand how these portrayals might influence young adult readers' perceptions of motherhood.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four chapters: an introduction establishing the research question and highlighting the changes in women's roles; a chapter exploring shifting concepts of mother roles; a chapter analyzing the representation of mothers in the four selected YAL novels; and a concluding chapter discussing the impact of these portrayals on young adult readers.
What is the overall conclusion suggested by the paper (based on the provided summary)?
The provided chapter summaries suggest the paper will explore the divergence between idealized images of self-sacrificing mothers and the complexities of modern motherhood as depicted in YAL, ultimately analyzing the potential impact of these portrayals on young readers' understanding of maternal roles.
- Quote paper
- Nadine Röpke (Author), 2005, Representing Motherhood: Images of Mothers in Contemporary Young Adult Literature, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57444
