Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change // Angela Garbes
PUB DATE: May 10th
Part memoir, part cultural critique Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change shifts the perspective on mothering, here defined as the care work of raising children, from unskilled drudgery to essential contribution with the opportunity to make a far reaching impact on the world, an essential contribution that deserves a hell of a lot more esteem.
From mothering in a social and historical context to all the small details and acts that make mothering the verb it is and how those actions can intentionally grow not just our children, but also the world we want to see.
Often parenting books are filled with suggestions that can feel overwhelming or ask that we ignore our instincts, this is not that book. Essential Labor acknowledges the work already being done, affirming that it does matter and does have a far reaching impact. It asks only that we acknowledge the power we wield, shifting our own perspective to value ourselves and our contribution, arguing society at large should value us as well.
Motherhood can so often feel like a thankless grind though it’s indisputably necessary work. Essential Labor is an affirming read, a balm to our under appreciated souls.
This would make an excellent Mother’s Day gift for you or someone you know! Too bad it’s not out until Tuesday. Perhaps give the gift of a pre-order?!
Thanks so much to Harper Wave for an ARC copy!
Side note: if you haven’t read author Angela Garbes’ previous work Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy you absolutely should, especially considering pregnancy is a current hot topic for all the wrong reasons.
That Bookish Life 