
Shadow Mothers
Nannies, Au Pairs, and the Micropolitics of Mothering
Cameron Lynne Macdonald(Author)
University of California Press
1st Edition
Published on 9. February 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-520-26697-1 (ISBN)
Description
Shadow Mothers shines new light on an aspect of contemporary motherhood often hidden from view: the need for paid childcare by women returning to the workforce, and the complex bonds mothers forge with the "shadow mothers" they hire. Cameron Lynne Macdonald illuminates both sides of an unequal and complicated relationship. Based on in-depth interviews with professional women and childcare providers-- immigrant and American-born nannies as well as European au pairs--Shadow Mothers locates the roots of individual skirmishes between mothers and their childcare providers in broader cultural and social tensions. Macdonald argues that these conflicts arise from unrealistic ideals about mothering and inflexible career paths and work schedules, as well as from the devaluation of paid care work.
Reviews / Votes
"Offers surprising and layered insights into the ... modern mommy phenomenon played out every day from coast to coast." Boston Globe "Sparks important insights for mother-employers and their employees... And along the way, it offers society and individuals a way to create positive mother-childcare worker relationships." Foreword "An interesting read... [Macdonald's] findings are thought-provoking" -- Kate Burns Law Society JournalMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
5 tables
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-26697-1 (9780520266971)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
02/2011
1st Edition
Naval Institute Press
€29.49
Available for download
Person
Cameron Lynne Macdonald is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Content
Preface 1. Introduction: Childcare on Trial 2. Mother-Employers: Blanket Accountability at Home and at Work 3. Nannies on the Market 4. "They're Too Poor and They All Smoke": Ethnic Logics and Childcare Hiring Decisions 5. Managing a Home-Centered Childhood: Intensive Mothering by Proxy 6. Creating Shadow Mothers 7. The "Third-Parent" Ideal 8. Nanny Resistance Strategies 9. Partnerships: Seeking a New Model 10. Untangling the Mother-Nanny Knot Appendix: Research Methods Notes Bibliography Index Contents Preface