A review of Maternal Desire: On Children, Love and the Inner Life, by, Daphne de Marneffe. New York: Little, Brown, 2004, 401 pp.
Ann Chanler, Ph.D. (2008). Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 44:309-316
“I think I’m in love
But it makes me kind of nervous to say so”
—Beck, lyrics from “Think I’m in Love”
MOTHERHOOD is powerful business. Whether it involves thinking about having children, balancing work with family, or struggles with infertility, the discourse is passionate. Sadly, however, there is one thing mothers today do not seem to be able to talk about, namely, the pleasure they take in being devoted to and spending time with their children. With more women than ever before entering the workforce, mothers who wish to take care of their children hide their desire to do so. Fearful of turning back the clock when professional and personal opportunities abound,
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