By Jaime Sadgrove
Mother Trouble, the latest book from Prof. Miranda J. Brady (Associate Professor, Communication and Media Studies) delves into the intricacies of motherhood through the lens of media and cultural studies, highlighting how systemic inequalities shape the experience of mothers over decades. Brady draws on media and motherhood studies to explore how care work—both paid and unpaid—has been depicted in media and the exclusions inherent in these portrayals.
COMS Prof. Miranda J. Brady
“Mother Trouble sits at the intersections of media and motherhood studies,” Brady explained. The book traces struggles faced by mothers since the second wave of feminism and how these issues are mediated in popular culture. Her research explores popular narratives around the burdens faced by mothers, from economic impoverishment to a systemic lack of support, while also challenging readers to consider who is left out of those narratives. “Media often hyper-focuses on white maternal angst while ignoring the systemic exploitation of migrant care workers and mothers of color,” she said.
A Personal Connection to a Much Broader Issue
The inspiration for the book arose from Dr. Brady’s own experiences as a mother balancing care work with her career. “I was inspired to write this book when I became a mother myself and found myself struggling to balance paid work with the unpaid labour of care work,” Dr. Brady said. She explained that even as a mother in a privileged position – a white mother with full-time paid labour – finding appropriate supports for her disabled child remains difficult.
During her research, Brady drew connections between popular media portrayals of motherhood and broader societal expectations. From classic feminist horror films like Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives to contemporary depictions of “momfluencers” on social media, Mother Trouble critiques how these narratives focus disproportionately on white mothers while excluding people of colour and migrant workers doing care work and the work of mothering.
Media and Cultural Critiques
Brady’s book explores varied cultural phenomena, including HGTV’s “mompreneurs” and anti-vaccine memes on Reddit, tying them to broader themes of care labor and societal expectations. For instance, her analysis of HGTV personalities highlights how media glorifies mothers’ entrepreneurial efforts as a solution to systemic inequities. “Mothers are expected to blur the lines between paid and unpaid work,” Brady explained, critiquing how these portrayals often fail to address the instability and inequities such efforts entail.
What’s Coming Next: Research on Selfish Motherhood and Author Meets Readers
Brady’s interest in issues around motherhood and how it is depicted in popular culture did not end with the publication of Mother Trouble. She is already working on a follow-up project exploring society’s fascination with “selfish motherhood,” which includes analyzing social constructs of apparently self-centered motherhood.
Mother Trouble is also the focus of an Author Meets Readers event on January 30, 2025 at Irene’s Pub in Ottawa. This series invites the community to discuss new books published by members of Carleton’s Faculty of Public and Global Affairs in an informal setting.
For more information or to purchase Mother Trouble, visit the University of Toronto Press.
Monday, January 27, 2025 in Communication News, ComsFacultyBooks, General, News, Research
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