IMFC Review Spring/Summer 2007

From the IMFC Executive Director

The theme of this issue of the IMFC Review magazine is maternal cares: a focus which explores the hectic, rewarding, and beautiful moments of motherhood – and the policy implications thereof on Parliament Hill.

Peter Jon Mitchell has done in depth research on epigenetics, a new field of science that explores theories of nature versus nurture – and the role of mothers in both. Who we are may be determined by a combination of those two factors – in ways that will surprise you.

We’re pleased to have Jennifer Roback Morse return to the IMFC Review with her take on women who choose to be single moms. What are some of the consequences of this choice?

Caroline Tapp-McDougall takes on the pressures of the “Sandwich Generation,” those adults who are taking care of aging parents and still raising their children. This squeeze is affecting more of us as we live longer and have children later in life.

In “Mothers and the Media,” Andrea Mrozek explores views of motherhood from two very different standpoints. How does the mainstream media view motherhood and is it reflective of reality, or do stories in the media on motherhood influence our views and the social policy that goes with them?

Kate Fraher asks why Canadian research on the emotional effects of divorce is virtually non-existent. We can assume that children and parents are hurt through divorce, but if we had research on this common feature of so many lives, would we be able to help those who have been affected by it?

In addition, I’ve approached the concept of how structured our children’s time is and whether we’re doing them any favours by having the kitchen calendar filled to capacity. Kids’ calendars tend to be hyper-scheduled when parents’ calendars are – perhaps, this spring, alongside annual spring cleaning in the house and yard, we need to do a little purging of our personal calendars as well.

I hope that you will schedule some reading of the IMFC Review into your busy schedule this summer. As always, please forward your thoughts to us.

Until next time,

Dave Quist

Executive Director, IMFC