the problematics of motherhood in twentieth century women's fiction

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freedom: those with an aptitude for mothering take it up
whlle those without it are also deemed 'normal' in every
way.
The other extreme of resenting child-bearing and
child-rearing, viewing motherhood from a purely antagonistic
stance is yet another kind of lie.
r2 asserc rca: m-rkerhood ls a rcrrure cc any
~.:3egenfa.:, l?-.rel?rgen: 'do-an 1s secc:ner.cal - as
far rerr7:ed fr-n act'lal ex:erlence - as :c asserr
that motherhood is the true and hlghest fulfilment
any woman could deslre (Harris 1975 254).
As mothermg beglns to be viewed as one cholce among many.
feminism and motherhood are no more in diametrical
opposltlon. Feminists do not attack family or mothering.
except as defined and restricted under patriarchy, they do
not denigrate motherhood, but remove the pressures from ~ t ,
making it truly voluntary
The motherhood role is congenial
to some women, whlle others are put off by its demands, some
feel they are unable to perform the role as
inst~tutlonallsed by soclety and yet another sectlon of
women have an in-between stance - they would en]oy
mother if it weren't a twenty-four-hour lob
being a
Femlnism
accomodates all these positions, maklng motherhood as well
as 'non-motherhood' a genulne optlon for those who prefer
lt, making one as esteemed and acceptable as the other. As
Jessie Bernard asks
Instead of coercing [women] Into motherhood.
making them feel that not becoming a mother is a
misfortune or, worse, pitiable, why not appreciate