About the book
For a mother, the death of a child under any circumstances is unbearable. When the child is severed from the mother’s life by his or her own hand, the cleaving is particularly brutal. It is a bereavement with no equivalence in human experience.
If you are a mother today, you are mothering in patriarchy. What that means, and how it might impact a mother grieving the loss of her child to suicide, is a subject Donna Johnson explores in this profound book. Johnson, in her counselling role in a police service, worked closely with mothers who lost a child to suicide, supporting them through those first traumatic days, weeks and months as the impact of suicide reverberated throughout their lives.
What struck her was the absence of specific supports for mothers and the prevalence of a type of paralysis in the mothers. The burden of overwhelming guilt, shame and a huge sense of failure impeded the possibility of mothers recovering from their child’s suicide. In Shattered Motherhood, Donna Johnson argues for specific supports for mothers in these circumstances; supports that meet their unique needs, recognise the depth of their suffering and provide them with proper care. Through a feminist lens, she considers the institutions of marriage, motherhood and the family as well as the suffering of mothers who have lost a child to suicide.
Johnson articulates her belief in the power of women coming together to name their own experiences, feel their own pain and search for their own solutions.
Editions of Shattered Motherhood
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781922964144
Read an Excerpt
For a mother, the death of a child under any circumstances is unbearable. When the child is severed from the mother’s life by his or her own hand, the cleaving is particularly brutal. It is a bereavement with no equivalence in human experience.
If you are a mother today, you are mothering in patriarchy. What that means, and how it might impact a mother grieving the loss of her child to suicide, is a subject Donna Johnson explores in this profound book. Johnson, in her counselling role in a police service, worked closely with mothers who lost a child to suicide, supporting them through those first traumatic days, weeks and months as the impact of suicide reverberated throughout their lives.
What struck her was the absence of specific supports for mothers and the prevalence of a type of paralysis in the mothers. The burden of overwhelming guilt, shame and a huge sense of failure impeded the possibility of mothers recovering from their child’s suicide. In Shattered Motherhood, Donna Johnson argues for specific supports for mothers in these circumstances; supports that meet their unique needs, recognise the depth of their suffering and provide them with proper care. Through a feminist lens, she considers the institutions of marriage, motherhood and the family as well as the suffering of mothers who have lost a child to suicide.
Johnson articulates her belief in the power of women coming together to name their own experiences, feel their own pain and search for their own solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shattered Motherhood about?
For a mother, the death of a child under any circumstances is unbearable. When the child is severed from the mother’s life by his or her own hand, the cleaving is particularly brutal. It is a bereavement with no equivalence in human experience.
If you are a mother today, you are mothering in patriarchy. What that means, and how it might impact a mother grieving the loss of her child to suicide, is a subject Donna Johnson explores in this profound book. Johnson, in her counselling role in a police service, worked closely with mothers who lost a child to suicide, supporting them through those first traumatic days, weeks and months as the impact of suicide reverberated throughout their lives.
What struck her was the absence of specific supports for mothers and the prevalence of a type of paralysis in the mothers. The burden of overwhelming guilt, shame and a huge sense of failure impeded the possibility of mothers recovering from their child’s suicide. In Shattered Motherhood, Donna Johnson argues for specific supports for mothers in these circumstances; supports that meet their unique needs, recognise the depth of their suffering and provide them with proper care. Through a feminist lens, she considers the institutions of marriage, motherhood and the family as well as the suffering of mothers who have lost a child to suicide.
Johnson articulates her belief in the power of women coming together to name their own experiences, feel their own pain and search for their own solutions.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Shattered Motherhood?
Health, Relationships and Personal development > Family and health > Coping with / advice about personal, social and health topics > Coping with / advice about death and bereavement > Suicide: Coping with / advice about suicidal thoughts and suicide of others
Where can I read a sample of Shattered Motherhood?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781922964144
How long is Shattered Motherhood and how many pages does it have?
Shattered Motherhood has 180 page(s)
Is Shattered Motherhood part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Spinifex Shorts
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Shattered Motherhood?
Donna F. Johnson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Shattered Motherhood is available as paperback(ISBN 9781922964144)
Where can I buy Shattered Motherhood online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Shattered Motherhood from below
Is there a video of the book?
Watch a video about Shattered Motherhood here
Where can I buy Shattered Motherhood?