Maternalism / Maternalist Ethics
Maternalism / Maternalist Ethics – a distinctive type of interpersonal relationship shaped by motherhood as a sociocultural standard and expressed in a particular orientation toward helping others, characterized by elevated and selfless maternal care (Apresyan, 1995, p. 100).
In motherhood, or maternal work, understood as a sociocultural standard, the feminist philosopher Sara Ruddick identifies the following characteristics:
- Selflessness and self-sacrifice;
- Spontaneity and naturalness;
- Unconditionality;
- Initiative and principled commitment;
- An orientation toward making maternal care ultimately unnecessary: the purpose of maternal work is to prepare the recipient of care for independence from that care. In this sense, the mother seeks eventually to become no longer needed as a caregiver (Apresyan, 1995, pp. 100–104).
It is important to emphasize the diversity of people and family forms involved in maternal work. It may be performed by women or men, by heterosexual or same-sex couples, by single caregivers, and by people living in monogamous or polygamous unions. Ruddick stresses that maternal practice may vary considerably in its concrete forms, while retaining its sociocultural significance (Apresyan, 1995, p. 102).
Reference:
Apresyan, R. G. (1995). Ideia morali i bazovye normativno-eticheskie programmy [The idea of morality and basic normative-ethical programmes]. Moscow: Institute of Philosophy. [in Russian].
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