Responsible mothers? Feeding children in difficult times

Objective: Based on a qualitative research project focusing on single mothers during the COVID-19 crisis, this article explores the social norms that govern the narratives and practices of foodwork by poor and marginalised mothers and analyses the notion of lived maternal responsibility. Background: Even though the norms and cultural expectations surrounding motherhood vary widely between cultures and communities, there is typically one dominant ideology of good motherhood. However, it is unclear whether its norms apply to all mothers in the same way. Moreover, its relationship to neoliberal ideology is not clearly defined. Method: This article draws on a longitudinal qualitative study of 32 single mothers with children under 13 conducted shortly before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Czechia. The analysis implemented constructivist grounded theory and focused on foodwork as it was described by the participants. Results: The mothers constructed their own understanding of maternal responsibility as they accepted, challenged and negotiated the norms of neo-liberal ideology and the ideals of good motherhood. Beyond the responsibilisation discourses, we view responsibility as a response to vulnerability and a need motivated by the ethics of care. Conclusion: The expectations of neoliberal ideology, intensive motherhood ideology and the ethics of care cannot be empirically separated. The multi-layered responsibility model captures the interlocking of the three levels of responsibility in mothers’ lived experiences.