Maternal Feminism

Beginnings in Industrial Revolution

Maternal feminism is rooted in the Western ideal of the middle-class nuclear family consisting of a father who works outside the home and a mother who stays at home to look after the children. Although widespread notions view this ideal as the natural human domestic unit, this family model for Western society actually stems from the industrial revolution that began in Britain in the late 18th century.

By the 1800s, the industrial revolution was spreading throughout Europe and beyond. Major technological advancements had a huge impact on all facets of society, including dramatic changes to family life. This societal shift away from an agriculture-based economy, in which all family members worked together as a self-sufficient unit, resulted in the creation of two social spheres: the public and the private. In this new social order, men worked in the public sphere while women remained in private, domestic life. Unable to vote, pursue higher education, or find lucrative employment, women had few options other than marriage and motherhood.

By the middle of the 19th century, women began to work together to change laws and regulations governing marriage, education, and employment. These activities prepared the way for the first large women's movement and the rise of maternal feminism. In this early version, women were not to move out of the home too much: to be good wives and mothers was always paramount.

Twentieth-century maternal feminism is often associated with first wave feminists: prominent women such as Nellie McClung argued that motherhood entitled women to a role in the political arena. However, this public presence was considered for the good of society and should not disrupt traditional domestic male and female roles.

Early 20th-century maternal feminism did not work to expand the rights of all women equally: it focused on white, middle-class women, to the exclusion of native, immigrant, or poor women. In [Page 708]her analysis of this movement, Mariana Valverde observes that these feminists did not see quality mothering as characteristic of all women, but rather believed that all women should strive to meet the mothering standards practiced by white, middle-class women who were considered morally upright. While they did extend their philanthropic and charitable efforts toward improving the conditions of the less fortunate, first wave feminists also encouraged others to adapt to middle-class culture.

These observations should not diminish the significance of first wave feminism's success in achieving suffrage for women. Their struggle was complicated because establishment critics, both male and female, predicted the potential degeneration of Western society, arguing that women would be neglecting their natural social responsibilities if they were granted access to public activity.

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