The motherhood studies in modern foreign historical research

Abstract

The motherhood studies in historical perspective were due to the development of gender studies, the history of childhood, parenthood and family relations. The majority of works on the history of motherhood was based on socio-constructivist approach. For the first time the transformation of maternal feelings in different historical periods have attracted historians of Western Europe, then from the US, UK and Canada. Gradually research interest has shifted from the study of motherhood as a social institution to the discovery of daily maternal practices, emotional experiences of mothers. Female egodocuments have become major sources. Special attention historians have paid to the development of the idea of «good enough mother», «conscious», «expert», «professional», «intensive» motherhood.