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“Potential parenthood” and identity threats: Navigating complex fertility journeys alongside work and employment

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  • Clare Mumford
  • Krystal Wilkinson
  • Michael Carroll

Abstract

While many scholars have noted workplace inequalities generated by the presence of pregnancy and parenthood, this paper shifts the focus to explore the question: how do childless subjects negotiate between work identities and desired identities of parenthood? Drawing from empirical research interviews about navigating complex fertility journeys alongside work and employment, we show how themes of pregnancy and parenthood play out in the form of (non‐)potential rather than actual achievement, and where identity threats arise paradoxically from both too close and too distant an association with the maternal body.

Suggested Citation

  • Clare Mumford & Krystal Wilkinson & Michael Carroll, 2023. "“Potential parenthood” and identity threats: Navigating complex fertility journeys alongside work and employment," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 982-998, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:30:y:2023:i:3:p:982-998
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12953
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    1. repec:ilo:ilowps:487376 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Lucia Cervi & David Knights, 2022. "Organizing male infertility: Masculinities and fertility treatment," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1113-1131, July.
    3. Haynes, Kathryn, 2008. "Transforming identities: Accounting professionals and the transition to motherhood," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(5), pages 620-642.
    4. Grimshaw, Damian. & Rubery, Jill., 2015. "The motherhood pay gap : a review of the issues, theory and international evidence," ILO Working Papers 994873763402676, International Labour Organization.
    5. Haynes, Kathryn, 2008. "(Re)figuring accounting and maternal bodies: The gendered embodiment of accounting professionals," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(4-5), pages 328-348.
    6. Heather Griffiths, 2021. "Invisible people: A story of fertility treatment and loss during the pandemic," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S2), pages 397-404, July.
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