Motherhood, Childlessness and the Care of Children in Atlantic Slave Societies (Routledge Studies in Slave and Post-Slave Societies and Cultures)

This groundbreaking collection of essays provides a comprehensive analysis of motherhood under Atlantic slavery, shedding light on the complex experiences of enslaved women who were forced to navigate the trauma of childbirth and child loss in the face of brutal oppression.

Drawing on a wide range of historical sources from medieval Spain to New England, this book uncovers the ways in which motherhood was used as a tool of exploitation and control, while also highlighting the resilience and strength of enslaved women in the face of unimaginable adversity.

With contributions from leading historians based in Brazil, Cuba, the United States, and Britain, this book offers a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of the experiences of enslaved mothers and their children, and is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of slavery and the complexities of motherhood under oppressive systems.