Counterintensive Mothering: Exploring Transgressive Portrayals and Transcendence on Mad Men

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session I
  In Interactive Paper Session: Feminist Scholarship Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

We utilized critical discourse analysis to examine exemplars of transgressive mothering in the award-winning television series, Mad Men. We contribute to feminist inquiry by showing how this popular cultural text portrays mothering as a contested site in which women can explore how intensive mothering processes can be destructive-transformative, affirming-disconfirming, and self-focused-community-oriented when not carried to extremes and when situated amidst other possibilities. Our reading of Mad Men delineates transgressive mothering as those gendered processes that disrupt intensive mothering “ideals” by modeling alternative lifestyles, advocating for others’ children, and engaging in anti-mothering practices. In our critique, we consider the broader historical context dominated by significant changes in consumerism, medicine, technology, and politics. Engaging in critique and actions resulting from a difference lens can help make visible how intensive mothers’ sole focus on their own children undermines not only possibilities for their own personal fulfillment but also community well being.

Authors

• Suzanne Marie D'Enbeau, Kent State U

• Patrice M. Buzzanell, Purdue U