Motherhood
Sir,—Last week Helen Brown wrote pungently about maternal child abuse and the same night a “Close Up” programme examined suburban neurosis and other stresses of motherhood. Just previously, a friend’s daughter had revealed reservations about marriage because of her fear of pregnancy. Hearing of others equally anxious, I wonder if we are overdoing warnings of calamity. Let us acknowledge the value of research encouraging self-knowledge and freedom from guilt, but let us highlight coping strategies as well as prophecies of doom. Parent education is available now for those who want it. Role sharing can build self-confidence for both partners, and grandparents and neighbours are not inevitably absent. Shared activities with other parents extend contacts, and boost joy in a family. Even with a sense of humour, motherhood can be tough, demanding and lonely at times; but is no more necessarily a psychotic experience than childbirth is a sickness. — Yours, etc., P. BUCHANAN. September 26, 1983.
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Press, 27 September 1983, Page 16
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156Motherhood Press, 27 September 1983, Page 16
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