Abstract

This project explores the impact of societal ideologies surrounding maternal identities on ‘child free’ women. Maternal ideologies carry ideas about the inevitability of motherhood. These affect women without children who are positioned as ‘other’ in such cultural narratives. Lives and choices are shaped by these powerful assumptions and reproductive autonomy remains contested. The aim of this discrete study of ‘child free’ women is to reveal the impacts of maternal ideologies. Specifically, how tensions arise in workplaces, families and relationships between mothers and ‘child free’ women. The methodological approach is designed to capture diversity of voices and narratives of women without children. The project will be produced through data collection with mixed methods and intersectional sampling of ‘child free’ women. New knowledge produced in this research potentially contributes to equality and diversity agendas and could support professionals seeking meaningful equality strategies that are inclusive of all women and men.