Mothering and Disability: The Social, Cultural and Political Spheres

Abstract

Ian Craib highlights the messiness of ‘normal’ family practices in late modern society in an attempt to suggest that increased expectations, individualism and the intrusion of ‘experts’ have contributed to feelings of disappointment with one’s lot. In this chapter I introduce the reader to what becoming a mother is via cultural, political and social spheres, theoretically. All contribute to how mothers and fathers consider and experience their life course. Culturally, high expectations are abundant in view of the privileging of the ‘normal’, socially appropriate, aesthetically desirable and intellectually able, in childrearing and family practice. Political discourses on inclusive education, and partnership too, infer that difference is to be celebrated and embraced. Theoretical concepts aid me to frame an analysis in thinking through these experienced and abstract sociological issues. This chapter addresses these statements in introducing mothering and learning ‘disability’.