Mothering (magazine)
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Mothering is the bimonthly magazine of natural family living started in 1976. The current editor is Peggy O'Mara. Articles cover pregnancy, childbirth options, breastfeeding, educational alternatives, family health issues, homeschooling, co-sleeping, and relevant information pertaining to vaccinations and circumcision, so that new parents can make informed parenting decisions.
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[edit] Web Presence
Mothering.com is the online presence for Mothering Magazine and publishes educational articles, as well as hosts a forum, MotheringDotCommune or "MDC". The forums are approaching one hundred thousand registered members.
[edit] Controversies
The MotheringDotCommune Discussion Forum has dealt with concerns of discrimination against women of color and single moms by removing inappropriate posts and warning violating members as well as stating a clear policy in its User Agreement:
Mothering.com is the website of natural family living and advocates natural solutions to parenting challenges. We host discussion of nighttime parenting, loving discipline, natural birth, homebirth, successful breastfeeding, alternative and complementary home remedies, informed consent, and many other topics from a natural point of view. We are not interested, however, in hosting discussions on the merits of crying it out, physical punishment, formula feeding, elective cesarean section, routine infant medical circumcision, or mandatory vaccinations. We do not tolerate any type of discrimination in the discussions, including but not limited to racism, heterosexism, classism, religious bigotry, or discrimination toward the disabled. We will not host discussions that involve explicit sexual references and are cautious about discussions on volatile topics such as abortion, religion, and race. See statement of purpose below.
In an attempt to address community issues regarding racisim and discrimination, MDC hosts interactive Racism Workshops conducted by Karen Salt. Karen is a Mothering "Ask the Expert," author, doula, childbirth educator, race and diversity consultant, and scholar focusing on race, slavery, gender, and revolution. MDC invites its members to attend these workshops to help the community grow in understanding and educate themselves on racisim and discrimination.
MDC administration has come under scrutiny regarding suspensions and banning of members who commit board policy violations and for failure to permit dissenting posts. MDC policies are stated in its User Agreement, which was created with community input, and recourse is available for all members who take issue with administration action by submitting a review request to The Kitchen Table. Publisher of Mothering, Peggy O'Mara, personally receives and responds to review requests.
[edit] History
Mothering was founded in 1976 and in the 80's, editor and publisher Peggy O'Mara took the helm of the magazine.
