UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Taylor, Candace J.
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Year:
2012
Degree:
M. Ed.
Abstract:
My goal in this thesis is to illustrate how some ofthe values, traits, and characteristics that we use socially and professionally to define, label, and award leaders are found within motherhood. Of course, every mother is not a leader just like every professional is not a leader either; there are always exceptions. However, I do believe and intend to illustrate that, at least nationally, the role of motherhood is not given the value, respect, and space it deserves.
Acknowledgement and recognition is given for those that build a home for Habitat for Humanity but not for building and maintaining a home and family. We give someone credit for supervising a staff or teaching a classroom of students but not for raising, teaching, and caring for the development of one's own children. Historically we have not attached value to the importance of the role of a stay at home mother or working mother. That lack of value is further compounded by the barriers our society has put in place systemically, institutionally, socially, and politically that undermine the ability of mothers to be whole and thrive without unnecessary sacrifice and isolation. Some of these barriers are illustrated in the continued fight for true mother and family friendly health benefits, mother and family leave, as well as nursing mother's spaces. Even the process and options that are in place in this country medically for pregnant and birthing mothers are holistically constrictive and disempowering.
Granted, many of these similar types of issues can illustrate themselves around other social issues of oppression, and those connections are equally critical to take a look and understand. I am merely holding a magnifying glass on this one facet of our humanity or at times, lack there of, to illuminate where we have come from on this topic, where we are now, and who we can be. I hope to show what I believe we have done well and what we can do better.
I also hope to weave in how my role as a mother has impacted my professional role as both a student affairs professional in higher education and a certified labor and birth doula in the medical field. Because I believe in the importance of knowing our history to fully know our present place and paths to come, I plan to illustrate my research on this topic through my narrative and the narratives of others to unearth and illuminate this topic and its unspoken "herstory." My hope is to honor the mothers around the world, to recognize/see their work and its contributions in helping to build this world that we live in for better or for worse."
Acknowledgement and recognition is given for those that build a home for Habitat for Humanity but not for building and maintaining a home and family. We give someone credit for supervising a staff or teaching a classroom of students but not for raising, teaching, and caring for the development of one's own children. Historically we have not attached value to the importance of the role of a stay at home mother or working mother. That lack of value is further compounded by the barriers our society has put in place systemically, institutionally, socially, and politically that undermine the ability of mothers to be whole and thrive without unnecessary sacrifice and isolation. Some of these barriers are illustrated in the continued fight for true mother and family friendly health benefits, mother and family leave, as well as nursing mother's spaces. Even the process and options that are in place in this country medically for pregnant and birthing mothers are holistically constrictive and disempowering.
Granted, many of these similar types of issues can illustrate themselves around other social issues of oppression, and those connections are equally critical to take a look and understand. I am merely holding a magnifying glass on this one facet of our humanity or at times, lack there of, to illuminate where we have come from on this topic, where we are now, and who we can be. I hope to show what I believe we have done well and what we can do better.
I also hope to weave in how my role as a mother has impacted my professional role as both a student affairs professional in higher education and a certified labor and birth doula in the medical field. Because I believe in the importance of knowing our history to fully know our present place and paths to come, I plan to illustrate my research on this topic through my narrative and the narratives of others to unearth and illuminate this topic and its unspoken "herstory." My hope is to honor the mothers around the world, to recognize/see their work and its contributions in helping to build this world that we live in for better or for worse."