48. Monica Cardenas, PhD on Maternal Ambivalence and Apathy

In this conversation, Keltie speaks with writer Monica Cardenas, who shares her journey of being childfree by choice, and her research about maternal ambivalence and apathy. Hear them discuss... The cultural and societal pressures surrounding motherhood. The representation of childfree women — and those who are ambivalent or apathetic about motherhood — in literature and media.  Monica's Substack 'Bad Mothers,' which challenges societal judgments about motherhood and emphasizes the importance of recognizing women's choices without stigma. Literary examples that challenge traditional narratives around a woman's role as mother, and that highlight the importance of normalizing diverse experiences. The personal implications of these societal norms, including the judgments faced by women who choose not to have children and the impact of family dynamics on these decisions.  The natural ambivalence many feel towards parenthood and the importance of a supportive community that respects individual choices. Perspectives on the freedom that comes with being childfree and advice for those uncertain about having kids. As mentioned in the show Find Monica online at www.monicacardenas.com Subscribe to Monica's Substack, Bad Mothers, at a special discounted rate, exclusive to Kids or Childfree Podcast listeners: https://monicacardenas.substack.com/kocf Find Monica on Instagram at instagram.com/monica_is_reading. About Monica Monica Cardenas holds an MA and PhD in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her research on motherhood in the 20th-century novel and the evolution of reproductive rights in the U.S. is central to her novel-in-progress The Mother Law, which was longlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize and runner-up in the Borough Press open submission competition. Her work has been published in The Audacity, Literary Hub, Litro, Catatonic Daughters and Sad Girls Club Lit. She is chair of the Democrats Abroad UK Women's Caucus, and author of the Bad Mothers newsletter. Originally from Washington, D.C., she now resides in the Chiltern Hills just outside London. __ Join our upcoming Kids or Childfree Group Program: kidsorchildfree.com/kids-or-childfree-program Check out our free resources here, or at kidsorchildfree.com/free-resources And don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review The Kids or Childfree Podcast if you love what you're hearing! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, or a rating on Spotify. Find us online at www.kidsorchildfree.com. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsorchildfree