Constructions of pregnant and postnatal embodiment across three generations: mothers', daughters' and others' experiences of the transition to motherhood.
The academic study of the 'body' has come to occupy the foreground over the past two decades and the differential influences of physical and social worlds particularly upon body management practices have become fundamental to the 21st-century 'project' of the body. In this article we explore three generations of women's accounts of living in/with a pregnant and postnatal body which is now both visible and 'public' as women 'leave' the home for work. However this now takes place in the context of public surveillance (and self-surveillance) particularly about food/eating, 'health' and 'beauty'.
Nicolson
Paula
P
University of London, 11, Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3RF, UK. paula.nicolson@rhul.ac.uk
Fox
Rebekah
R
Heffernan
Kristin
K
D000328:Adult; D049628:Body Size; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult