The sociology of motherhood
Self Paced Program
A crash-course in the sociology of Motherhood for mothers who work in motherhood-support or aspire to
ready to deepen your knowledge on motherhood and enrich the way you support Mothers?
Why do we need to integrate a sociological of understanding of motherhood into our work with mothers?
because Motherhood is different to mothering.
Mothers do their mothering within the context of Motherhood.
The social rules around Motherhood are the ones Mothers live their lives within.
These rules become embedded within our own lives, and in the systems, structures, and institutions that we live within.
Without knowledge about the social system of motherhood we miss enormous opportunities for transformation, understanding, and change for mothers.
By participating in the SELF PACED PROGRAM you will come to understand:
What the social construction of motherhood is and how it is different to the perfect mother myth and intensive mothering ideology (Hays)
How we’ve been socialised into patriarchal motherhood ourselves as Mothers who work in motherhood-support - the drawbacks, benefits, and a way forward
What the implications are of the 'perfect mother myth' on maternal mental health and wellbeing, and why our work in this space of motherhood-support is so critical
An overview of how the social construction of Motherhood, the perfect mother myth, and intensive mothering ideology, shapes Mothers’ experiences of paid work
How to begin to integrate these teachings within your work with Mothers, and reflexively position yourself as a Mother who works in Motherhood-support.
The sociology of motherhood
A self paced program where you will receive:
Training in understanding the social construction of motherhood, the perfect mother myth, intensive mothering ideology, and prompts to identify where you and your work ‘fits in’ within the arena of motherhood-support
The context provided for you to begin to deconstruct our own socialisation into patriarchal motherhood and explore how this shows up for you in your work
Worksheets to support your integration and learning of content covered – including resources for taking clients through the perfect mother myth
PLUS, RECEIVE…
A workbook with summaries of content covered within each lecture along with prompts for your own integration and reflection.
A speaking guideline to support you in integrating teaching on the perfect mother myth into your work.
A client-facing resource you can offer to the mothers you work with, to support them in understanding and unpacking their socialisation into the perfect mother myth.
the six trainingS covered in the program
1. The Social System of Motherhood
2. The Social Construction of Motherhood; The Perfect Mother Myth, Intensive Mothering Ideology
3. Maternal Mental Health and Wellbeing Implications
4. The Care/Career Conundrum and the ‘work/life balance’ conversation
5. Martyrdom, Self-Worth, and the ‘Professionalising’ of Motherhood
6. Your role in the Motherhood Revolution
Frequently asked questions
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This self-paced program provides you an entry-level understanding of the sociology of motherhood, whereas the certification is a complete and thorough training in the social construction of motherhood.
The overlap between this program and the certification includes:
Training in understanding the perfect mother myth, intensive mothering ideology, and the basics in understanding the social construction of motherhood
An overview of 2x concepts - The Social System of Motherhood and The Care/Career Conundrum
Content that is NOT covered in this program (but is within the certification) includes:
A thorough break-down of the social construction of motherhood, where it was formed, how it came to be, how it is maintained and sustained (taught through the concepts The Social Construction of Motherhood; The Gazing Guard Tower over Maternal Power; The Good Mother Bad Mother Binary; The Good Child Concept)
How we come to be socialised into the social construction of Motherhood (taught through the concept The Pyramid of Maternal Regulation)
Where Mum guilt comes from and how to support mothers to move through guilt (taught through the Growth Through Guilt Guide)
How maternal anger functions as part of the social construction of motherhood and how to support mothers through anger (taught through Alchemizing Anger Guide)
Training on the relationships between mothers and partners, mothers and other mothers
How the pandemic has impacted the social construction of motherhood and implications for mothers
Aspects of the maternal experience including ambivalence, the mental load, maternal thinking, emotional labour
Socioeconomic differences and how they change how individual mothers experience the social construction of motherhood - and how we must adapt our practice in motherhood-support accordingly
Identity in motherhood (taught through concept - The Maternal Self in Motion)
What matricentric feminism is and how we integrate it into our work with mothers
Explicit business support (included in the certification is a module focused on reflexivity, imposter syndrome and content integration)
If you would like to bundle your enrolment in this program with enrolment in The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification - please email info@drsophiebrock.com with the subject - “motherhood studies bundle” - for a special offer
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Each participant will receive:
Summary-guide outlining key learning points from series
Speaking note guide for integrating perfect mother myth teaching into your work
Client-facing resource for supporting mothers in understanding and unpacking the perfect mother myth
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Yes. If you would like a certificate of completion at the end of the program, please email info@drsophiebrock.com requesting a certificate.
You will need to have completed the program fully.
Please note that this certificate of completion is not equivalent to being certified in Motherhood Studies (this is for those who complete The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification).
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Refunds are not available for this program.
why study with dr sophie brock?
Hi, I’m Sophie. I have spent 10 years researching Motherhood and have a PhD in Sociology specialising in Motherhood Studies from The University of Sydney.
In my research, I developed what has been described as a ‘ground-breaking theory’ for understanding how Mothers’ lives are shaped by the social and cultural construct of Motherhood. I’m also a Mother myself.
My hope is that through sharing this knowledge, Motherhood Studies Practitioners can become beacons of light for Mothers. Beacons of light who do not represent another pedestal for which we need to strive, but who illuminate parts of Motherhood that have been overshadowed and silenced for too long - including our power and voices. Beacons of light who signify hope and possibility - who Mothers can turn to when they are feeling alone, isolated, challenged, and not enough.
By gaining this knowledge, I hope that students of Motherhood Studies can advocate for and champion Mothers and the reimagined possibilities of what Motherhood can mean - for us and future generations.
Pricing
$1000 AUD
If you would like a payment plan please email your request to info@drsophiebrock.com
Imagine being able to understand the sociological dimensions of Motherhood, and have resources to draw on to integrate these understandings into your work with Mothers.
Imagine being able to validate and affirm Mothers’ experiences – and in turn, better facilitate their empowerment and transformation journey.
Not only is it possible, but it’s also necessary.
When we shine a light on what’s impacting the Motherhood experience - beyond individual circumstances - we can start to break the current rules and rewrite what it means to be a Mother - and in a way that works for us.
We can finally start to create change.