Association for Research on Mothering

As a mother and a maternal scholar, I am writing to express my concern over the decision York University has recently made to close down what can arguably be considered "the most prolific, wide-reaching, international community building organization in the area of mothering worldwide," the Association for Research on Mothering (ARM)

The work of ARM is vibrant, woman-centred, widely respected, and absolutely essential, especially now as mothers and children continue to face challenges related to state dependency, neo-liberal discourses and regulatory strategies, economic and cultural marginalization. The academic and community profile of ARM is incomparable. The opportunities it provides to maternal scholars and mothers cannot be understood simply through the tangibles (journal, publishing, conferences etc.) but through the work ARM does in advocating for mothers' rights, value and the meaningful contribution mothers make to society.

York now has an opportunity to recognize not only the value of maternal scholarship, but the worth of mothers by reversing its decision to close ARM. What's more, by offering instead sustainable funding to support this much needed organization York can restore goodwill with the members of ARM and the community. ARM has received an outpouring of support, including a letter writing and media campaign to save it! With its many accomplishments and stellar record, I do still see a future. There is so much at stake here losing such an important association.

On behalf of the mothers I have interviewed over the past year who insist we must do more to support mothers and children in this country, I most emphatically support the re-opening of ARM!