Byrne seminar challenges traditional views about what it means to be a mother
'The idea of a typical Mom is changing in society. The class gave me a broader view of what a mother is, whether she is married or single, gives birth or adopts.'– Lily Suplee
A group of first-year students gaze at paintings from colonial days that depict images of mothers and children. The mothers look grim, unsmiling, and the babies are dressed oddly to resemble small adults. The paintings show an image of motherhood that is not as rosy as photographs on modern Mother’s Day cards. The images spur discussion among the students about what it means to be a mother, the good, the bad and everything in between.
The course, called “Mama Mia: Social Constructions and Conceptions of Motherhood,” is part of The Byrne First-Year Seminars Program. For these new undergraduates, the class, which recently wrapped up and will be offered again next year, has greatly expanded their perceptions of motherhood.
“Mothers have to be strong to handle all they go through, from pregnancy and their bodies changing to raising a family. I knew they were strong before, but now I have a better understanding of the experience of motherhood over the last 100 years,” said Uniqua Smith, a women and gender studies major.
Jen Barnes, human resources major, relates that she was raised by a single mother, and was pleased to see that with the increase in single parents, attitudes have changed while career opportunities for women have expanded.
“While single parents were looked at differently before, now they can support themselves and move up the career ladder. Women have more independence and don’t have to rely on a husband.”
Created by School of Social Work
The seminar, created and taught by three professors from Rutgers School of Social Work, examines how women physically, psychologically, and socially transform into mothers, as well as how mothers are viewed by society. Laura Curran, Judith McCoyd and Shari Munch used their training in perinatal social work and other areas of social policy to provide a more accurate picture of pregnancy and motherhood in the social context.
During five two and half-hour sessions, the students were immersed in every area of the motherhood experience.
“Our goal was to challenge the romanticized view that 17-year-olds have of motherhood. The experience of being a mother has changed dramatically over time, and mothers’ experiences vary widely according to larger social, emotional, and economic circumstances,” says McCoyd.
The class explored historical perspectives of motherhood as well as a modern look at mothers in the work place and social policy that affects them. They also took a field trip to St. Peter’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an excursion that was universally praised by the students for helping them to understand that not every mom comes home from the hospital with a healthy baby. The class discussed pregnancy as well as raising a child with special needs or even dealing with the death of a child.
“The field trip was really eye opening. Everyone expects to have a chubby, healthy baby and that is not always the case. It was good to see the other side and what these mothers experience,” says Lily Suplee, an education major.
On the last day of class, each student in the all-female class spoke about what she learned and what was most valuable. “The subject matter is very unique, and the idea of the typical mom is changing in society. The class gave me a broader view of what a mother is, whether she is married or single, gives birth or adopts,” says Suplee.
Byrne Seminars offer first-year students a chance to explore fascinating subjects that are out of their majors, all within a small group setting for further enrichment. The Byrne First-Year Seminars Program was established in 2007 with an endowment by Rutgers Alum John J. Byrne and his wife Dorothy. Since its inception, the Byrne Program has steadily grown serving more than 10,000 incoming students.
Media Contact: Beth Salamon
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E-mail: bsalamon@ssw.rutgers.edu