MOTHERS and DAUGHTERS

In addition to the simple physiological and genetic bond that connects parents to their children, there is also a deeply rooted and often conflicting emotional bond that develops between mothers and daughters. The culture of motherhood has dramatically re-shaped itself over the past few decades as economics and politics have shifted in this nation. Single parenting is no longer the cultural taboo it once was perceived to be. Daughters and mothers are frequently spending a greater number of years under one roof as both emerging adults face financial challenges in trying to launch from the nest and older adults are living longer and often being cared for by daughters. Making sense of these relationships can be challenging and upsetting, rewarding and fulfilling, all at once.

Here, the authors discuss the roles of mother and daughter, and how they have changed and continue to grow, and present the stories of women from all walks of life, and from different age groups, to illustrate what being a mother, and being a daughter, really means to women in their everyday lives. They guide readers to a better understanding of their relationships, on a personal level, even as they describe the evolving nature of contemporary mother-daughter dynamics.

By providing women with a book that candidly explores the myriad paths and depths to which the mother-daughter relationship might wind, the authors help readers smooth over the difficulties and power struggles they may be experiencing with their mothers or their daughters, or both.

Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, is Professor and Chair of the Counseling, Adult and Higher Education department at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. She is also a licensed professional counselor. Her other books have addressed topics such as women’s friendships over the lifespan, counseling boys and young men, emerging adults, and expressive arts in clinical practice.

Christine Borzumato-Gainey, PhD, LPC, is a counselor and instructor at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. She is currently a Mental Health Counselor at the Elon University Counseling Center as well as Director of the BASICS program which addresses substance abuse concerns of students. She has over a decade of experience working within the college setting and is the author of several publications and presentations addressing this population and has also co-authored a book exploring female friendship over the lifespan.