Programme

Through guest lectures and discussions we will explore experiences and theories which challenge monomaternalism, i.e., the idea (or belief) that a child can have only one 'real' mother. We will discuss how (public) discourse on mothering and motherhood shapes the idea of who is a mother and who is not. Possible topics for discussion are stepmothers, foster and adoptive mothers; gendered dimensions of mothering; othermothering; how to mother ourselves; milk kinship; multiple parenthood; (transnational) surrogacy…

Through lectures, workshops and bookclubs we will address questions such as:

• Is a stepmother a mother, and who gets to decide that?
• If a child has been carried by a surrogate mother of colour, should this child be considered to be of colour?
• What is the difference between genetic, biological and intended mother, and is it relevant to try to find out who is the ‘real’ mother?
• Can fathers mother, or should they?
• Is it legally possible for a child to have more than two parents?
• Can epigenetics help to argue for polymaternalism?

Maternal studies are an interdisciplinary field which is reflected in the theories guiding our exploration: feminist philosophy, maternal theory, black feminism, crip theory and queer theory, amongst others.

Speakers for the 2024 winter school: Sophie Lewis, Shelley M. Park, Frederik Swennen, Rodante van der Waal, Siggie Vertommen, Noëmi Willemen and Alisa Zhabenko.