Routledge Motherhood, Childlessness and Care in Slave Societies

Explore the complex realities of motherhood and childlessness in Atlantic slave societies through this scholarly collection from Routledge. This book examines the different forms of mothering that occurred within these historical contexts, addressing the trauma and grief caused by frequent child death. It also looks at how slaveholders romanticized the childcare work performed by enslaved women. By analyzing a diverse range of societies, including medieval Spain, Brazil, and New England, this work provides a broad historical perspective. The collection features insights from historians based in Brazil, Cuba, the United States, and Britain. This research breaks new ground by demonstrating how mothering played a role in the continuation of slave societies. It is an essential resource for students and researchers interested in the social and cultural history of the Atlantic world.