Helen Jukes' "Mother Animal" offers a unique perspective on motherhood by comparing human experiences to those of various animal species. The book explores the diverse ways animals raise their young, challenging conventional notions of 'natural' motherhood. Jukes weaves together scientific research with personal anecdotes from her own pregnancy and early motherhood, creating a compelling narrative. The book prompts readers to reconsider societal expectations and embrace the complexities of parenting. Ultimately, "Mother Animal" celebrates the universality of motherhood while highlighting the unique challenges and joys of human experience.
Anastasia Berg and Rachel Wiseman's "What Are Children For?" delves into the complexities of modern parenthood, exploring the ambivalence and choices surrounding childbearing. The book challenges the traditional view of motherhood as an expected outcome of adulthood, highlighting the conflicts between personal aspirations and societal expectations. It examines the cultural narratives surrounding parenthood, analyzing how these narratives influence individual decisions. The authors offer a philosophical and cultural critique of the current discourse, providing guidance for navigating the uncertainties of this pivotal life decision. Ultimately, the book advocates for a more thoughtful and nuanced approach to the question of having children, emphasizing the importance of individual agency and collective responsibility.
British author Helen Jukes joins us to talk about motherhood in the animal kingdom, and what human mothers can learn from mothers from other species. What is “natural” about motherhood, what is the true nature of motherhood across species? What can we learn by allowing ourselves to truly see and examine the many roles of the mother in nature? At one poetic and rigorous, Helen Jukes’ beautiful new book, Mother / Animal, is an illuminating exploration of her own matrescence through the lens of motherhood in the animal world.
Note: Helen’s book is not available in the U.S. yet, so Blackwell’s (a UK based bookseller) has made some signed copies of Mother / Animal by Helen Jukes available to our listeners via this link.
LINKS:
* Buy Mother/Animal
* Follow Helen Jukes on Instagram
* How To Catch A Mole by Marc Hamer
* The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush
* Revolutionary Mothering
* Anne Helen Peterson essay on What Makes Women Clean
* Amanda Hess on Mother of it All
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