| Abstract |
This study, based on the perspective of ecofeminism, focuses on the experiences of female environmental advocates. The author tries to explore the role of motherhood in the female environmental movement, the concept of motherhood affects female activists’ public and private sphere, and how female activists are empowered by their motherhood to enter the public sphere.
This research focuses on female activists in anti-nuclear, anti-air pollution and food safety issues in which we see more female activists involved.. This study applies observational method, in-depth interviews and secondary data analysis of the three movements in central and southern Taiwan.
The results shows that female activists have two contexts in entering environmental movements: the first is, connecting personal experiences to natural and the second is accessing to environmental issues through the participation in public affairs. In either context, the role of "mother" often raises women’s concern of the environmental issues. The formation of motherhood consciousness can unite female activists to organize themselves and to participate in environmental movement. At both individual and organizational levels, the power of motherhood was exemplified in different ways in the environment movement. Finally, the research finds that the separation between public and private spheres, which is socially constructed by the patriarchy system, have constrained the participation of some female activists. The role of motherhood can empower women, but might also build up some hindrance and restrictions for female activists. |
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