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Intensive mothering in hard times: Foucauldian ethical self-formation and cruel optimism

Cappellini, Benedetta; Harman, Vicki; Marilli, Alessandra; Parsons, Elizabeth

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Authors

Vicki Harman

Alessandra Marilli

Elizabeth Parsons



Abstract

Discourses of intensive mothering now seem to dominate European and American parenting cultures. This is a problem for those mothers who do not currently possess the resources to match up. In a study of Italian and British mothers who are experiencing low or reduced incomes, we observe the ways in which they internalize intensive mothering discourses through a process of ethical self-formation. This mode of self-formation involves detailed self-surveillance and self-discipline and abnegation of their own needs in place of other individual family members, and the family as a whole. We find a series of contradictory emotional effects which generate both pride and self-worth but also stress and anxiety. We advance the theory that mothers operate within an optimistic affective regime to make sense of these contradictory effects and retain a sense of agency and control over their lives and those of their families. However, drawing on Berlant’s concept of cruel optimism, we argue that such affective regimes may be very pernicious in their effects, only serving to hold mothers in a relation that is ultimately impassable and often unfulfilling.

Citation

Cappellini, B., Harman, V., Marilli, A., & Parsons, E. (2019). Intensive mothering in hard times: Foucauldian ethical self-formation and cruel optimism. Journal of Consumer Culture, 19(4), 469-492. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469540519872067

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Sep 16, 2019
Publication Date Nov 30, 2019
Deposit Date Oct 10, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Consumer Culture
Print ISSN 1469-5405
Electronic ISSN 1741-2900
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 4
Pages 469-492
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1469540519872067
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1283213
Related Public URLs http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/850726/

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Copyright Statement
Cappellini, Benedetta, Harman, Vicki, Marilli, Alessandra & Parsons, Elizabeth (2019). Intensive mothering in hard times: Foucauldian ethical self-formation and cruel optimism. Journal of Consumer Culture 19(4): 469-492. Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). DOI: 10.1177/1469540519872067





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