Riley, Charlotte Lydia, Jenkins, Lyndsey, Baughan, Emily, Beers, Laura, Burnett, Jade, Chappell, Frankie, Davidson, Ruth, Lundin, Emma Elinor, Martin, Mary Clare, Muggeridge, Anna et al (show 3 more authors)
(2025)
Labour Pains: Mothers and Motherhood on the British Left in the Twentieth Century
Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 3.
pp. 405-426.
ISSN 0080-4401, 1474-0648
Abstract
Abstract British left-wing politics does not know what to think about mothers. In left-wing women’s movements, motherhood has been recognised as essential and difficult; necessary for future revolutions, not least in raising future revolutionaries. In less radical circles, it has been understood as a crucial contribution to the functioning of society, often forming the basis of women’s claims to citizenship and maternalist forms of politics. On the other hand, motherhood has been seen as a ‘natural’ function of women and a private responsibility, rather than a public good or a collective act which needs comprehensive state support. The family, in this reading, is a rather conservative force, better left to social reactionaries. Mothering has added additional hurdles to the gendered obstacles women already face in pursuing politics as activists or elected representatives. Perhaps because of this, many mothers in politics have sought to downplay or distance themselves from their roles as mothers, emphasising instead their contributions as workers and activists who can be fully committed to the left cause. Feminist historians have often followed their lead and have tended to write around political mothers’ maternal roles in their scholarship. This roundtable develops themes first explored in our November 2023 workshop, generously supported by the Royal Historical Society.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 4303 Historical Studies, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of Histories, Languages and Cultures |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 08 May 2025 10:29 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Nov 2025 08:53 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/s0080440124000161 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1017/s0080440124000161 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3192690 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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