Home Is Where the Hurt Is

Media Depictions of Wives and Mothers

Sara Hosey author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:McFarland & Co Inc

Published:14th Nov '19

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Home Is Where the Hurt Is cover

Despite years of propaganda attempting to convince us otherwise, popular media is beginning to catch on to the idea that the home is one of the most dangerous and difficult places for a woman to be. This book examines emergent trends in popular media, which increasingly takes on the realities of domestic violence, toxic home lives and the impossibility of "having it all." While many narratives still fall back on outmoded and limiting narratives about gender--the pursuit of romance, children, and a life dedicated to the domestic--this book makes the case that some texts introduce complexity and a challenge to the status quo, pointing us toward a feminist future in which women's voices and concerns are amplified and respected.

“Excellent…Hosey’s book is beautifully organized and written… The overall tone of the book is smart, sharp, and sensitive; in no place is the author didactic or heavy-handed. Hosey very successfully constructs a sophisticated argument that reflects the evolution of feminist thought and theory, and illuminates the weaknesses of post-feminist analysis and pop culture. Her book recognizes the hard work still left for feminists to pursue.”—Northeast Popular & American Culture Association (NEPCA)
“This book helps us make sense of representations of femininity, feminism, popular culture and patriarchy, tackling thorny questions as they relate to wives in the domestic sphere and motherhood as the traditional site of hearth and home. While seemingly routine depictions of domestic violence leave the reader frustrated at the misogynistic status quo of much media fare, we are reminded that there is also hope and potential empowerment in a growing number of maternal depictions that look to negotiate, challenge and cite change. This book was difficult to put down, and as such, I recommend it to readers interested in the representation of gender, family and feminism.”—Rebecca Feasey, Bath Spa University
“The wealth of insightful commentary in this book should make it a valuable resource for students of media and gender studies, and inspire lively discussions in undergrad and graduate classrooms.”—Valerie H. Pennanen, associate professor of history, chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Calumet College of St. Joseph

ISBN: 9781476671987

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 12mm

Weight: 313g

232 pages