Marketing working mothers: contextualizing earned income tax credits within feminist cultural theory

Author: Mumford A.

Source: Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, Volume 23, Number 4, 1 December 2001 , pp. 411-426(16)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This article will argue that: first, the focus on the working mother which is encouraged by the Working Families'Tax Credit (WFTC) is confused by issues of class interest; second, that the question of whether the WFTC encourages the commodification of mothering is potentially problematic; and, finally, that the WFTC has repercussions for the culturally perceived context of 'natural work' for mothers, which should be considered in response to praise for the WFTC, and calls for more legislation along these lines. It examines the relevance of cultural feminism to WFTC and considers the portrayal and reception of this legislation as being helpful to mothers who work outside of the home and, in contrast, the perception of it as being part of an effort to control the behaviour of women, as 'social engineering'.

Keywords: CULTURAL; FEMINISM; BENEFIT; WELFARE; WORKING; FAMILIES'; TAX; CREDIT

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

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