Mothering Like an Athlete

• In Event: 220 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 17. Maternal Behaviors and Identity

Abstract

The commitment to long-term participation in sports activities, in spite of the many competing and contradictory demands of middle class motherhood, is unlikely and calls for explanation. Based on in-depth interviews with women who are athletes as well as mothers, this work investigates the explanations offered about why they do it, and how they feel it fits with and contributes to their roles as mothers. The ideology of middle class motherhood calls for continuous intensive time with and devotion to one’s child(ren), while success in a serious sports practice requires a similar commitment to oneself. The question of how these athletic mothers reconcile these ideological pressures in different directions is taken up. In addition to focusing on their sports practice as necessary and positive self care, the vast majority also viewed it as modeling healthy behavior to their children.

Author

• Jennifer Louise Hanis-Martin, NORC-University of Chicago