Mobilizing Mothers for War Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Studies document that in wartime, states often employ maternal imagery and mobilize women as mothers.Yet we know relatively little about when and why states and their opposition do so. This study seeks to build theory for this phenomenon through frame analysis of the Nicaraguan Contra War. The author proposes that maternal framing, aimed at mothers as well as a broader national and international audience, benefits militaries in at least three ways: (1) channeling maternal grievances, (2) disseminating propaganda through “apolitical” mothers, and (3) evoking emotions and sympathy nationally and internationally. This study furthermore explores three underexamined features of both gendered studies of war and frame analysis: (1) It applies frame theory to states, (2) it develops our understanding of crossnational gendered framing strategies, and (3) it introduces gender framing to the study of war.

publication date

  • December 1, 2004

Date in CU Experts

  • December 15, 2014 8:00 AM

Full Author List

  • de Volo LB

author count

  • 1

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0891-2432

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1552-3977

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 715

end page

  • 734

volume

  • 18

issue

  • 6