The Scientific Myths of Motherhood? Intensive Mothering as Evolutionary Mismatch

The Scientific Myths of Motherhood? Intensive Mothering as Evolutionary Mismatch

Speaker | Emily Emmott

Abstract: In societies with strong nuclear family norms such as the UK, motherhood is often positioned as a “scientifically proven” intervention point to improve child outcomes and reduce social inequalities. Public health initiatives, often drawing on Attachment Theory, promote “good mothering” as the natural route to optimal development. Yet, the assumptions underpinning Attachment Theory -rooted in out-dated evolutionary arguments- contrast sharply with current evolutionary anthropological knowledge which emphasises humans as cooperative caregivers. Drawing on several studies carried out in England/UK, I evidence how infant care depends on extensive support networks, even in contexts with strong nuclear family norms. The persistent belief that maternal devotion is both normative and primary not only distorts research but also undermines maternal experience. I argue that Intensive Mothering, far from being a "natural" human behaviour, looks to be an evolutionary mismatch.

Emily Emmott (UCL Anthropology)

Bio: Emily Emmott is an evolutionary social scientist interested in how the social and physical environment (or ecology) influences human development and behaviour. She works primarily in Evolutionary Public Health, applying evolutionary theory to inform public health research. Emily’s research programmes focus on cooperative childrearing and social support (such as parenting, grand-parenting, schooling, peer relationships, and social care provisions) and its implications for health, wellbeing and public health for children and families. Outside academia, she has also done research with charities and the public sector. She is a mixed-method researcher with specialism in complex data analysis - such as surveys, censuses and cohort studies.

Emily is a member of teaching staff at Evolutionary and Environmental Anthropology, and co-leads the Evolution, Culture and Health research cluster. She is currently the Director for Education at UCL Anthropology.