Chine McDonald talks to Jessica Hamel-Akré

Think tank director Chine McDonald explains how to free yourself from the myth of perfect motherhood perpetuated by art, literature, culture and society.

McDonald uses her own experience as a mother of two boys, history and culture to examine the expectations placed on mothers. She starts with the Virgin Mary and looks at portrayals of mothers in art, literature, culture and society across the centuries. McDonald says these portrayals have created ‘false and restrictive motherhood ideals that choke and shame and oppress and torment’. McDonald looks at, among other things, body image, whether to work or not work, media and social media portrayals, poor preparation for motherhood, community support, miscarriage and infertility.

‘Motherhood has given me the highest of highs and the lowest of lows… [it] has been my most profound altering.’ Chine McDonald

McDonald is director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She is a regular contributor to television and radio including to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. She is also author of God Is Not A White Man: and Other Revelations. Here she talks to historian and cultural strategy consultant Dr Jessica Hamel-Akré, author of The Art of Not Eating: A Doubtful History of Appetite and Desire.