The Motherhood Report: How Women Feel about Being Mothers

Manhattan psychiatrist Genevie and his wife, therapist Margolies, previously collaborated on The Samson and Delilah Complex. Here they present the findings of a l985 questionnaire that they sent to 1100 women in the U.S. Demographics, statistics, etc., support the detailed report, but such data pale beside the respondents' experiences. Among the mothers surveyed (aged 1880), only a few regret bearing children, while the majority express great joy in motherhood. All admit failures, disappointments and anger at endless drudgery. The women discuss rejection by adult sons and daughters and other hurts, the pain of caring for gravely ill children or those in trouble, and the deep wound caused by the death of one's child. The information in this vital book suggests that motherhood largely is undervalued. First serial to Good Housekeeping; author tour. (June 15)