Karen March, an associate professor of sociology and anthropology at Carleton presented her research to approximately 60 people on the stories of birth mothers Jan. 12 as part of the Feminist Futures lecture series.
“They judge themselves as sluts, saying they ‘ruined’ their family,” March said during the presentation. “Others, such as ministers, friends, and family, also referred to them as sluts. Women thought they deserved any way anyone treated them.”
Using semi-structured interviews, March spoke to 33 birth mothers and discussed how the stereotypical images of female sexuality contributed to the shame and guilt associated with having children out of wedlock.
March used white, Ontarian women as her sample, because of the Anglo-Saxon culture and the fact adoption laws vary by province.
After explaining the shame they experience, March went on to show how cultural changes have shifted the view of unwed mothers.
March said the average age of when the women became pregnant was 20 years old, challenging the myth they all were young. She also said that some had full-time jobs, which they quit because of the stigma associated with unwed mothers.
In the 1960s to the 1970s, the culture shifted to show a more liberal approach to female sexuality, which included the beginning of the birth control pill, and eventually led to economic supports to help mothers keep their children.
“Every single women I met, except one, told their husband so he would know what he was getting,” March said. “So they would know they were marrying a slut.”
Over time, the birthmothers have started to identify that part of themselves in a more positive light.
“I think they no longer have the silence over them and they’re able to talk and able to say it wasn’t just me, its not an individual thing,” March said.
Karen March has been working in adoption since 1985, and has researched adoption for approximately ten years. She has a PhD from McMaster University.
Zoe Lever, a first-year student at Carleton, said the presentation opened her eyes.
“I thought it was very interesting and gave a lot of insight into something that you don’t really think about,” she said. “It [showed] you how it has affected their lives.”
She said the presentation has only reinforced her beliefs about adoption.
“I’ve always been very pro-adoption, so even when I’m older I would like to adopt,” Lever said. “I think it has made me want to adopt more . . . adoption seems like this nice wonderful thing and it isn’t shamed or shunned as much.”
