Benchekroun, R; (2023) Strategic mothering in a hostile environment: how hostile immigration policies shape mothering, belonging and citizenship in the UK. Ethnic and Racial Studies pp. 1-22. 10.1080/01419870.2023.2193253. (In press).

Preview

PDF Strategic mothering in a hostile environment how hostile immigration policies shape mothering belonging and citizenship in the UK.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Immigration and citizenship policies in the UK have long been experienced as hostile and restrictive, particularly by groups who are racially minoritized. Since 2012, “Hostile Environment” policies have further restricted access to residency rights and citizenship status, generating legal and financial precarity for many families. Whilst research on state bordering practices is growing, little is known about their impact on mothering. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in a London neighbourhood, I show that hostile policies marginalize mothers with insecure immigration statuses and constrain experiences of mothering. Mothers face challenges and relational tensions which play out in ways specific to their structural positioning. I argue that mothers undertake strategic mothering work to address these tensions, enacting relational belonging and citizenship as mothers, for themselves and their children. This article contributes to sociological understandings of strategic mothering as a form of relational belonging and active citizenship in the context of hostile policies.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as JSONXMLCSV

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as JSONCSVXML

Archive Staff Only

View Item