A1 Journal article (refereed)
Making choices but few changes : the discourse of choice and mothers working in research and innovation (2023)

Ikonen, H.-M., & Korvajärvi, P. (2023). Making choices but few changes : the discourse of choice and mothers working in research and innovation. Gender and Education, 35(8), 790-805. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2023.2250819

JYU authors or editors

Ikonen, Hanna-Mari

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ikonen, Hanna-Mari; Korvajärvi, Päivi

Journal or series: Gender and Education

ISSN: 0954-0253

eISSN: 1360-0516

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 05/09/2023

Volume: 35

Issue number: 8

Pages range: 790-805

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2023.2250819

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/88964

Abstract

Based on the identification of the discourse of choice in debates on neoliberalism, meritocracy and post-feminism, this article analyses how highly educated mothers position themselves within the discourse of choice and use choice as their discursive resource when reflecting on how their demanding careers combine with motherhood. The data come from 26 interviews with mothers employed in research and innovation in Finland. The analysis reveals five ways in which the mothers positioned themselves within the discourse of choice. It appears these ways are all based on, and produce, the moral primacy of individual self-governance. We treat this as a demonstration of how neoliberalism is internalized and lived. Furthermore, the results show that an egalitarian welfare society whose policies support work–childcare reconciliation does not remove the need to use the individualistic discourse of choice. We suggest that this could be changed by voicing the challenges it poses to many women.

Keywords: mothers; working life; day care; research work; feminism; meritocracy

Free keywords: neoliberal research work; meritocracy; post-feminism; work–childcare reconciliation; mothers; choice discourse

Fields of science: