Demeter Press

Demeter Press is seeking submissions for an edited collection on Mothering: Anthropological Perspectives.

Editors: Michelle Walks and Naomi McPherson
Publication Date: 2012/2013

Deadline for Submissions: June 1, 2010

This anthology will explore the topic and experiences of mothering from a cross-cultural perspective. Although the collection will primarily focus on cultural anthropological work, we welcome submissions from all four fields in anthropology (linguistic, physical/biological, archeology, and cultural). We encourage writings of recent fieldwork, welcoming the representations of local and global perspectives, and writings that represent all points of the insider-outsider spectrum, including auto-ethnography. Writing styles may vary from field notes to ethnographic fiction to traditional academic writing to poetry to photographic representations. While ethnographic (research-based) submissions will make up the majority of the volume, theoretical submissions are also welcome.

The intent is to compile works of geographical and experiential diversity that demonstrate various family forms, as well as styles, contexts and problems of mothering, from an anthropological perspective.

We would like to focus on the strengths, empowerment, and agency of mothering. Please note that the editors embrace a broad, inclusive understanding of "mothering".

Topics can include (but are not limited to):

• mothering in immigrant and/or refugee communities
• mothering in locales of war and/or terror and/or perpetual protest
• rural and urban mothering
• mothering after the loss of a child and/or miscarriage and/or abortion
• the relationship of mothering to infertility and/or miscarriage
• the relationship of mothering to NRTs
• indigenous mothering
• queer mothering
• mothering in communes and/or communal mothering
• feminist mothering in the West and/or globally
• mothering done by nannies, siblings, aunts, grandparents, co-parents, fathers, non-biological parents, step-mothering
• surrogate mothering
• primate mothering
• allomothering
• archeological research on/related to mothering
• mothering "in the field"
• mothering and the internet
• mothering and disability
• political and/or activist mothering
• mothering in multicultural/multi-racial/multi-ethnic families
• mothering & post-partum depression and/or dealing with other mental health issues

Submission guidelines:

• Submissions should be 4000-5000 words (15-20 pages) (including notes and sources). Please also include a 50-word bio.
• Please use the American Anthropological Association style.
• Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2010.

Please send submissions and inquiries directly to both:
     Dr. Naomi McPherson: Naomi.mcpherson@ubc.ca
     Michelle Walks: mwalks@alumni.sfu.ca