Show 76: Motherhood Throughout History

Our Mother’s Day special explores how motherhood has evolved since the Greek and Roman times. We’ll be looking at moms through the ages as well as discussing modern trends in motherhood today.  It’s a fascinating discussion on family structure, societal expectations and the importance of moms. 

IN-STUDIO GUESTS: Joining host Shana Sheehy to discuss moms throughout time is guest Dr. Shari L. Thurer, author of Myths of Motherhood: How Culture Reinvents the Good Mother (Penguin, 1995), and The End of Gender: A Psychological Autopsy (Routledge, 2005). Dr. Thurer joined us from the WBUR studios in Boston. 

LINKS FROM THIS PROGRAM:

• ShariThurer.com
• The Conflict: How Modern Motherhood Undermines the Status of Women, by Elisabeth Badinter
• Review of The Conflict (Forbes.com)
• From 1997-2007 Full-time Work Grows Less Attractive to Moms (Pew Research)
• Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution, by Adrienne Rich

FEATURED STORIES:

- Teen Mom/High School Student - In Anchorage, some teen moms attend Crossroads - a high school just for pregnant and parenting teens. Some of them are also enrolled in Kids Corps Early Head Start program. The program has an in-home program, one that offers child development information, developmental screening and general support to these young moms. KTD contributor Jessica Cochran spoke to the woman who does those home visits, Tundra Paulson.

- Zen & the Art of Motherhood - We've all heard that practicing yoga and meditation can have profound effects on our bodies and minds; KTD contributor Paula Dobbyn explores the effects they also can have on practicing motherhood.