Motherhood And War

Traditional histories of war have focused overwhelmingly on masculine narratives of military action, diplomacy, and political maneuvering, leaving the 'home front' and private, domestic life relatively unstudied. This volume expands our understanding of wartime experiences by looking at the complex relationships between mothers and children and the varied roles both have assumed during periods of armed conflict.

In contexts ranging from the Sandinista uprising and contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts to World War II-era Japan, each chapter explores how women have coped during times of great uncertainty, navigating social boundaries, balancing national and familial commitments, and enduring the injury or even death of their children.