Mothers and grandmothers: Rethinking motherhood in the context of intergenerational caregiving

May combine two claims.

The mothers in the study were influenced by both North American and contemporary Chinese conceptions of motherhood and often aspired to intensive, expert-led childcare approaches unfamiliar to older Chinese.

“The mothers in our study were influenced by both North American and contemporary Chinese conceptions of motherhood and childrearing, and like their nonimmigrant, middle-class counterparts back in mainland China, they often aspired to intensive, “expert-led childcare approaches” that are unfamiliar to older Chinese (Breengaard, 2016, p. 93).”

• cites Breengaard, 2016 sourceSupported

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Canada's selective immigration pathways produce a highly educated, middle-class or affluent immigrant population.

“The women in our sample were highly educated (all but one was university educated, and half had advanced degrees) and middle-class or even affluent, a reflection of Canada's selective immigration pathways (Kaushal & Lu, 2015).”

• cites Kaushal & Lu, 2015 sourcePartly supported

  The Conclusion and Discussion (page unavailable) says Canada’s point system has helped draw well-educated immigrants. It does not establish that these immigrants are middle-class or affluent; the same section reports that recent Canadian immigrants had lower entry earnings than Canadian-born workers and, by the mid-2000s, recent U.S. immigrants. (LLM, conf=0.89)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

May combine two claims.

If scholars have found that intensive mothering can transform grandparenting, then it stands to reason that grandmothering impacts mothering as well.

“Indeed, if scholars have found that intensive mothering can transform grandparenting (Harman et al., 2022), then it stands to reason that grandmothering impacts mothering as well.”

• cites Harman et al., 2022 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

Grandmothers were present for a significant majority of interviewees' postpartum recovery, especially for first-time mothers: 27 mothers were cared for by their mothers or mothers-in-law when they had their first child.

“Grandmothers were present for a significant majority of our interviewee's postpartum recovery period, especially for first-time mothers: Twenty-seven mothers were cared for by their mothers or mothers-in-law when they had their first child.”

May combine two claims.

Sharing motherhood duties and authority can be a source of ambivalence and sometimes intergenerational conflict.

“Zhu portrayed the mothers and grandmothers in her study as experiencing an ultimately “harmonious” and loving relationship despite differences in their beliefs about mothering; here, we show how sharing motherhood duties and authority can in fact be a source of ambivalence and sometimes even intergenerational conflict.”

May combine two claims.

The women in the sample were highly educated and middle-class or affluent.

“The women in our sample were highly educated (all but one was university educated, and half had advanced degrees) and middle-class or even affluent, a reflection of Canada's selective immigration pathways (Kaushal & Lu, 2015).”

May combine two claims.

Grandmothers occupied the mother role by looking after the baby and shaping the baby's sleeping and eating patterns, while keeping the birthing woman in a submissive daughter position.

“At other times, grandmothers occupied the mother role by looking after the baby and shaping the baby's sleeping and eating patterns, while at the same time keeping the birthing woman in a submissive daughter position by requiring her to do nothing but follow instructions and rest.”

May combine two claims.

Many mothers recognized that yuezi care and later childcare assistance was physically demanding on aging parents, dislocated them from their homes in China, and was potentially unfulfilling for the grandparents.

“Many mothers recognized that yuezi care and, in many cases, later assistance with childcare was physically demanding on aging parents, dislocated them from their homes and routines in China, and was potentially unfulfilling for the grandparents as well.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The authors sought to demonstrate the significant role that grandmothers can play in a woman's transition into her motherhood role.

“In conclusion, we have sought to demonstrate the significant role that grandmothers can play in a woman's transition into her motherhood role.”

May combine two claims.

Although family conflicts during yuezi could create permanent rifts between generations in a minority of cases, conflict between the two generations was very common, the intensity of emotions associated with postpartum and shared motherhood surprised many new mothers, and grandmother care remained valued.

“Although in a minority of cases, family conflicts during the yuezi period could create permanent rifts between generations, we do not want to overemphasize conflict: whereas conflict between the two generations of women was very common, and the intensity of emotions associated with the postpartum period and shared motherhood caught many new mothers by surprise, grandmother care remained valued.”

May combine two claims.

The study largely neglected the role of fathers; fathers were relatively peripheral participants in early infant care in many women's accounts, partly because zuo yuezi is understood as a women's concern.

“We have also largely neglected the role of fathers here: Fathers, although full parenting partners for some women, were relatively peripheral participants in early infant care in many women's accounts, in part because zuo yuezi is understood as a women's concern.”

May combine two claims.

Lorraine's account illustrates that ceding care decisions could be a negative experience: her mother imposed traditional restrictions such as no bathing, and her mother-in-law dominated care of the baby.

“During her yuezi period, Lorraine's mother imposed many traditional restrictions on her (like no bathing), and her mother-in-law dominated care of the baby.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Lorraine felt deeply unhappy, became depressed, and suffered a nervous breakdown that sent her to the emergency room.

“Lorraine felt deeply unhappy and sank into depression, even suffering a nervous breakdown that sent her to the emergency room.”

May combine two claims.

Grandmothers' ideas could conflict with the new mother's own beliefs, and mothers who had done extensive prior research were most likely to have clear parenting ideas they wanted to implement.

“These ideas might conflict with the new mother's own beliefs about proper care, and new mothers who had done a lot of prior research were most likely to have clear parenting ideas that they wanted to put into practice.”

May combine two claims.

For second-time mothers, their relationship with grandmothers had often been transformed by experience, and often the younger woman no longer needed to negotiate her mothering authority with the elder.

“For these second-time mothers, their relationship with grandmothers had often been transformed by experience, and often the younger woman no longer needed to negotiate her mothering authority with the elder.”

May combine two claims.

In some cases, new mothers were happy to hand off care decisions to grandmothers, such as Hanzhang following her mother's instructions for toileting her newborn according to traditional Chinese practices, and Peng embracing her mother-in-law's Cantonese yuezi knowledge.

“In some cases, new mothers were happy to hand off care decisions to grandmothers, like Hanzhang, who closely followed her mother's instructions for toileting her newborn son according to traditional Chinese practices, or Peng, who enthusiastically embraced her mother-in-law's Cantonese yuezi knowledge.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Despite her commitment to breastfeeding, Lorraine felt pressured to use formula because both grandmothers worried she was not producing enough milk.

“Despite her commitment to breastfeeding, Lorraine felt pressured to use formula because the two grandmothers worried that she was not producing enough milk.”

May combine two claims.

New mothers assumed the role and identity of a mother in a state of indebtedness to their own mothers and mothers-in-law, and often expressed the need to be grateful, obedient, and not make extra work.

“Because these new mothers begin to assume the role and identity of a mother in a state of indebtedness to their own mothers and mothers-in-law, the women we interviewed often expressed the need to be grateful, obedient, and not make extra work for family members already weary from caregiving demands.”

May combine two claims.

Some grandmothers worried that breast-fed babies were not getting enough food when they cried and pushed for formula supplementation, while others recommended always rocking the baby to sleep.

“Some grandmothers worried that breast-fed babies were not receiving sufficient food if the baby cried, pressuring for supplementation with formula, while others advocated always rocking the baby to sleep.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Lorraine struggled with breastfeeding and felt deprived of contact with her baby; her mother-in-law insisted on holding the baby when it cried but did not need feeding and bottle-fed the baby with Lorraine's expressed breastmilk.

“Lorraine not only struggled with breastfeeding but also felt deprived of contact with her baby: Lorraine's mother-in-law insisted on holding the baby when it cried but didn't need feeding and would also bottle-feed the baby with Lorraine's expressed breastmilk.”

The quote only partly states this claim.

Women were usually more direct with their own mothers than with their mothers-in-law.

“Women we interviewed were usually more direct with their own mothers.”

May combine two claims.

This problem did not necessarily disappear after yuezi, especially because many interviewed women continued to receive childcare assistance from grandparents, often until children were 3 years old, the age many Chinese families consider acceptable for daycare.

“This problem did not necessarily disappear after the yuezi period, especially given that many of the women we interviewed continued to receive childcare assistance from grandparents, often until their children were 3 years old, the age that many Chinese families consider acceptable for daycare.”

May combine two claims.

Many women interviewed found hiring a yuesao too expensive and questioned the professionalism of local yuesao, given Canada lacks China's licensing system.

“Many women we interviewed had investigated the option of hiring a yuesao, but found the price tag-in 2018 from CAD$5000-$10,000, for month-long services ranging from weekday, daytime care to 24-h, live-in care-too expensive, and they often questioned the professionalism of the women working locally as yuesao, given that Canada lacks the yuesao licensing system established in China.”

May combine two claims.

Although grandmothers are important sources of care and emotional support, receiving a grandmother's caregiving can produce ambivalent feelings in the new mother-guilt, resentment, frustration, and gratitude-and sharing early motherhood can be unexpectedly difficult as the inexperienced mother takes on her new role.

“So, although grandmothers are important sources of care and emotional support, being the recipient or beneficiary of a grandmother's caregiving can result in ambivalent feelings on the part of the new mother-a mixture of guilt, resentment, frustration, and gratitude-and sharing early motherhood can be unexpectedly difficult as the inexperienced mother assumes her new role.”

May combine two claims.

Women recognized the magnitude of the care obligation that grandmothers take on, and many characterized it as a burden on the older generation.

“Many women explicitly characterized the care obligation as a “burden” on the older generation.”

May combine two claims.

Although most women had strategies to assert autonomy, some mothers ceded most care decisions to the grandmother or grandmothers.

“Although most women had strategies to assert their autonomy, some mothers ceded most care decisions to the grandmother(s).”

May combine two claims.

First-time mothers were less likely to feel hired care was worth the expense, making them especially dependent on grandmother caregivers.

“Like Lorraine, first-time mothers were less likely to feel hired care was worth the expense, making them especially dependent on grandmother caregivers at the same time that they transitioned into a new mothering identity.”

May combine two claims.

New mothers sought to assert their autonomy and competence while simultaneously sharing mothering duties with grandmothers, whose interventions and care labor could simultaneously provoke feelings of guilt, gratitude, and resentment.

“New mothers sought to assert their autonomy and competence while simultaneously sharing mothering duties with grandmothers, whose interventions and care labor could simultaneously provoke feelings of guilt, gratitude, and resentment.”

May combine two claims.

Over 80% of research participants had at least one parent or parent-in-law co-resident for their first yuezi period, most commonly the maternal grandmother.

“Parental help was considered especially important by first-time mothers, and over 80% of our research participants had at least one parent or parent-in-law co-resident for their first yuezi period, most commonly the maternal grandmother.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Both authors brought substantial prior knowledge of Chinese culture and family relations to the study, but each was positioned differently vis-à-vis the data.

“Both authors brought substantial prior knowledge of Chinese culture and family relations to this study, but each was positioned differently vis-à-vis the data and the experiences of research participants.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Collins (1991) argued that Black women experience motherhood as a role shaped by relations with and interdependencies among women-'othermothers.'

“Collins (1991) argued that Black women experience motherhood as a role shaped by relations with and interdependencies among women-“othermothers,” networks of female kin and neighbors who care for children.”

• cites Collins, 1991Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In the absence of professional postpartum services outside China, many Chinese immigrant women are cared for by their mothers and/or mothers-in-law and still follow some version of the traditional postpartum rules.

“In the absence of such services outside China, many Chinese immigrant women are cared for by their mothers and/or mothers-in-law and still follow some version of the traditional postpartum rules (Chang et al., 2018;Chu, 2005;Lam et al., 2012).”

• cites Chang et al., 2018 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Chu, 2005 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Lam et al., 2012 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Recent scholarship recognizes that even positive intergenerational relationships can be characterized by negative elements like conflict and ambivalence.

“Recent scholarship has recognized that even positive intergenerational relationships can be characterized by negative elements like conflict and ambivalence (Cooney & Dykstra, 2013).”

• cites Cooney & Dykstra, 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Chinese traditional postpartum care (zuo yuezi) retains its cultural importance for immigrant Chinese families and provides a prime example of an intergenerational care obligation.

“For immigrant Chinese families, Chinese traditional postpartum care, known as zuo yuezi or “sitting the month,” retains its cultural importance and provides a prime example of an intergenerational care obligation (especially grandmothers and grandmothers-in-law towards the postpartum woman, as a daughter/daughter-in-law) (Holroyd et al., 1997, p. 309).”

• cites Holroyd et al., 1997 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Intensive mothering defines a modern woman's relationship to her children as her primary concern and motherhood as her master status.

“Intensive mothering defines a modern woman's relationship to her children as her primary concern and motherhood as her master status (Hays, 1996).”

• cites Hays, 1996Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Even mothers and grandmothers for whom intergenerational caregiving is less important may experience the ambivalence of conflicting ideals of motherhood and different childrearing expectations.

“Even mothers and grandmothers for whom intergenerational caregiving is less important may experience the ambivalence of conflicting ideals of motherhood and different childrearing expectations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Ambivalence can manifest in feelings of guilt experienced by adult children who receive parental support.

“Ambivalence can manifest in feelings of guilt experienced by adult children who receive parental support (Kalmijn, 2020).”

• cites Kalmijn, 2020Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The focus on first-time motherhood emerged inductively from the data and was not a focus of the initial study.

“Although we focus on first-time motherhood in our analysis, this theme emerged inductively from our data and was not a focus of the initial study.”

May combine two claims.

Zuo yuezi rests upon ethnomedical beliefs about the female body and involves rules restricting a woman's daily routines during confinement.

“Like many traditional postpartum care models (Selin & Stone, 2009), zuo yuezi rests upon ethnomedical beliefs about the female body and involves rules restricting a woman's daily routines during her confinement period.”

• cites Selin & Stone, 2009Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

All interviews were conducted in Chinese by a research assistant who is a Chinese immigrant to Canada and a mother, and these shared characteristics provided important rapport.

“All interviews were conducted in Chinese by a research assistant who is a Chinese immigrant to Canada and a mother; these shared characteristics provided important rapport when discussing private topics related to the physical experiences of pregnancy and postpartum recovery and family relations during the yuezi period.”

May combine two claims.

Grandmothers can be important participants in many women's experiences of early motherhood, and their involvement can challenge new, inexperienced mothers who benefit from their caregiving while seeking an autonomous mothering role.

“Grandmothers can not only be important participants in many women's experiences of early motherhood, but the involvement of grandmothers can be a challenge for new, inexperienced mothers who simultaneously benefit from the grandmothers' caregiving while seeking to assume an autonomous mothering role.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study used a semistructured interview format to ensure key topics were covered while allowing interviewees to share diverse experiences.

“We adopted a semistructured interview format to ensure key topics were covered while allowing interviewees to share diverse experiences meaningful to them (Weiss, 1995).”

• cites Weiss, 1995Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The analysis has an important limitation: it lacks insight into grandmothers' experiences because the account is based on the younger generation, and comparing perspectives would be valuable.

“One of the most important limitations to our data is the lack of insight into the experiences of grandmothers: We construct our account based on the experience of the younger generation of women, and it would be valuable to compare their perspectives with those of their mothers and mothers-in-law.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The authors highlight the importance of bringing grandmothers into how contemporary mothering and motherhood are understood.

“In doing so, we highlight the importance of bringing grandmothers into how we understand contemporary mothering and motherhood.”

May combine two claims.

Walzer's study of white, middle-class American parents documents that new mothers can feel judged by grandmothers, who may be possessive of grandchildren and assertive about how they should be cared for, especially when care is shared.

“For example, Walzer's (1998) study of white, middle-class American parents documents how new mothers can feel judged by grandmothers, who may be possessive of grandchildren and assertive about how they should be cared for, especially when care is shared.”

• cites Walzer's (1998)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Intergenerational sharing of childrearing has been identified as an important element of mothering practice by scholars of African American and immigrant mothers but is often cast as a positive, adaptive, and culturally distinct form of motherhood.

“Intergenerational sharing of childrearing has been identified as an important element of mothering practice by scholars of African American and immigrant mothers but is often cast as a positive, adaptive, and culturally distinct form of motherhood (Dow, 2016).”

• cites Dow, 2016 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

By examining the complex and sometimes tension-filled negotiations between mothers and grandmothers regarding the child, there is an opportunity to recognize motherhood-even intensive, modern forms-as an intergenerational endeavor.

“By examining the complex and sometimes tension-filled negotiations between mothers and grandmothers vis-à-vis the child, there is an opportunity to recognize motherhood-even intensive, modern forms of motherhood-as an intergenerational endeavor.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Ample scholarship highlights the importance of and potential tensions associated with intergenerational support, recognizing for example that mother-daughter relations change through the life course.

“Yet ample scholarship highlights the importance of and potential tensions associated with intergenerational support (Cooney & Dykstra, 2013;Kalmijn, 2020), recognizing for example that mother-daughter relations change through the life course (Fingerman, 2001).”

• cites Cooney & Dykstra, 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Kalmijn, 2020Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Fingerman, 2001Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The Canadian context made the older generation's care obligation simultaneously more necessary but more onerous and difficult to fulfill.

“Ironically, the Canadian context made the older generation's care obligation simultaneously more necessary but more onerous and difficult to fulfill.”

May combine two claims.

The authors draw on a very specific population and a small sample of women; the Chinese tradition of zuo yuezi is distinctive, and even among Chinese women and immigrants, the sample is highly educated and affluent.

“Although we have put forth some general claims about mothers and grandmothers, we are nevertheless drawing upon a very specific population and a small sample of women in this population.The Chinese tradition of zuo yuezi is quite distinctive, and even among Chinese women and among Chinese immigrants, our sample is highly educated and affluent.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The study devoted relatively little attention to differences between daughter-biological mother and daughter-in-law-mother-in-law relations, besides noting that women communicate more directly with their own mothers, largely because common themes and considerable variation were found across participants.

“We have also devoted relatively little attention to the differences between daughter-biological mother relations and daughter-inlaw-mother-in-law relations, besides noting that women communicate more directly with their own mothers, largely because we found common themes related to both grandmothers and considerable variation in daughter-mother/daughter-mother-in-law relations across our”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Conflicts between mothers and grandmothers could easily be transferred to husband-wife relations, and fathers could be called upon to mediate conflicts with grandmothers-in-law in particular.

“But conflicts between mothers and grandmothers could easily be transferred to husband-wife relations, and fathers could be called upon to mediate conflicts with grandmothers-in-law in particular.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Walzer describes that her data on this dynamic was incomplete because she did not ask about it in interviews, and the intergenerational dynamic only emerged inductively from her data.

“Strikingly, Walzer describes how her data on this dynamic was incomplete, because she did not ask about it when conducting her interviews: Absent from theoretical frameworks on parenting or motherhood, this intergenerational dynamic only emerged inductively from her data.”

• cites WalzerNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Although Lorraine's case was the most extreme example of a new mother being subordinated to the grandmother, the core of her conflict with her mother-in-law was not uncommon: relying on the older generation for caregiving usually meant ceding not only functional aspects of childcare but also style and philosophy of care.

“Although Lorraine's experience was the most extreme case of the new mother finding herself subordinated to the grandmother, the essence of Lorraine's conflict with her mother-in-law was not, in fact, an uncommon problem: Relying on the older generation for caregiving usually meant ceding not only some functional aspects of childcare but also style and philosophy of care as well, as many examples”

May combine two claims.

The findings, though focused on immigrant Chinese women, identify first-time and early motherhood as a key time when intergenerational relations between women shape the younger woman's experience of motherhood, combining dependence on intergenerational care with a new mother's desire for autonomy during intense family intimacy and fatigue.

“Our findings, although focused on the specific population of immigrant Chinese women, identify first-time and early motherhood as a key time when intergenerational relations between women shape the younger woman's experience of motherhood: It is a time when dependence on intergenerational care combines with a new mother's desire for autonomy during a period of intense family intimacy and fatigue.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

This work on intergenerational support tends to be disconnected from the growing research and theorizing on modern motherhood.

“But this work tends to be disconnected from the growing research and theorizing on modern motherhood.”

May combine two claims.

In Canada, there is limited commodification or professionalization of postpartum care labor such as yuesao, and available services are expensive relative to China.

“In contrast, in Canada, there is limited commodification or professionalization of postpartum care labor such as yuesao, and the services that are available are expensive relative to China.”

May combine two claims.

If intergenerational support is a key context in which a woman becomes a mother, then the ideals of intensive mothering-grounded in the new mother's research and investment in modern ideas about children's needs-deeply influence mother-grandmother relations and provide the terrain on which conflict between the generations often erupts.

“If intergenerational support is a key context in which a woman assumes motherhood, the ideals of intensive mothering-grounded in the new mother's research and investment in modern ideas about what children need-deeply influence mother-grandmother relations and provide the terrain on which conflict between the two generations of women often erupts.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The experience of first-time grandmothers transitioning into a new family role may be quite different from that of experienced grandmothers.

“In addition, as with new mothers, the experience of first-time grandmothers transitioning into a new family role may be quite different from experienced grandmothers.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The data are not comparative, so the authors cannot make strong claims about how the Canadian context influences the experience of new motherhood and mother-grandmother relations among Chinese immigrants.

“Our data are also not comparative, so we cannot make strong claims about how the Canadian context influences the experience of new motherhood and the complex relations between mothers and grandmothers experienced by Chinese immigrants.”

May combine two claims.

Grandmothers are not just sources of care labor but also may be figures of authority as well as self-sacrificing elders.

“This means that grandmothers are not just sources of care labor but also maybe figures of authority as well as self-sacrificing elders.”

May combine two claims.

The grandmother is more than a caregiver: she may be an assertive authority figure with different ideas about motherhood, an aging caregiver who disrupted her own life to support her daughter, or a loved and respected but not entirely trusted source of advice.

“But the grandmother is more than just a caregiver: She may be an assertive authority figure with different ideas about motherhood; she may be an aging caregiver who has disrupted her own life to support her daughter; she may be a loved and respected but not entirely trusted source of advice.”