The Maternal Question

“I think a lot of the choice around having children or not is completely illusory. I don’t think we have as many choices as we think.”

The way we live is ever-changing, but societal expectations about women’s relationships to motherhood have remained stiflingly rigid. Too often, popular narratives around motherhood disregard the varied and often challenging experiences that inform a person’s decision and opportunity to parent (or not). In this podcast episode, Gina Rushton, Sian Prior, and Natalie Kon-yu, three remarkable writers and thinkers from different backgrounds, consider the complexities of contemporary motherhood. They draw on their respective recent books, which each explore the political and personal implications of the journey towards, around or away from motherhood. Hosted by Eleanor Jackson.

Content note: this episode includes discussion of topics that some listeners may find difficult or sensitive, such as fertility and medical procedures.

Featured music is ‘In A Little While’ by Lofive, courtesy of Epidemic Sound.