The Motherhood Complex cover art

The Motherhood Complex

The Story of Our Changing Selves

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The Motherhood Complex

By: Melissa Hogenboom
Narrated by: Melissa Hogenboom
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About this listen

Enriched with discoveries from biology, psychology and social science, The Motherhood Complex is a journey to the heart of what it means to become a mother.

Melissa Hogenboom examines how the suite of changes we experience during pregnancy and motherhood influence our sense of self, both physically and from the wider world. From the way our brain changes during pregnancy and the psychological impact of our changing body, to the true cost of the motherhood workplace penalty and the intrusion of technology on family life, Hogenboom reveals how external events and society at large shape the way we see ourselves and impacts upon the choices we make.

Interweaving her personal experience as a mother of two young children with the latest research, Hogenboom confronts the modern myth of maternal perfection and highlights the importance of understanding how and why we change for our physical and emotional health.

©2021 Melissa Hogenboom (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Gender Studies Motherhood Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Social Sciences Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"The Motherhood Complex does for mothers in particular what Invisible Women did for women as a whole: exposes the myriad ways in which the system is stacked against us, while celebrating the strengths and successes we achieve in spite of it all." (Leah Hazard)

"A welcome, refreshing and clear-eyed look at the twenty-first century expectations of motherhood." (Gina Rippon)
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glad I read the book. wasn't too sure initially but it got better and more interesting. don't mean to be rude but the author was perhaps a little flat with the delivery (which is why it didn't grip me initially) very glad I read it tough and I feel like I can now take a little more pressure off myself as a mother/ employee

lots of interesting points

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I loved how well written this was and how relatable. The science behind it and the evidence and research. The different lived experiences. The information on how some of our work legislation came to be in the UK and USA. And the interesting points on length of maternity and paternity leave. How social norms affect our parenting and expectations of parenting. And interesting advice to know that letting my children free play with out always having structure although exhausting because of the mess is one of the best ways to learn. Despite the pleas of being 'bored' it makes me feel less guilty as a parent to know that's a good thing some times. Thank you for this really interesting and informative audio book.

Great book and I liked the scientific evidence

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