Motherhood is one of the most celebrated chapters in a woman’s life but also one of the most challenging. The joy of seeing a newborn or raising them is a magical process, but often, the burden carried by women in this task is either overlooked deliberately or underscored by a patriarchal society. In many ways, the media also plays a role in keeping this discourse one-sided, where often, a woman’s identity is singularly focused on one role: being a mother. A magazine that is disrupting the oft sexist, narrowminded, and rather misogynistic understanding is Mother Tongue. As part of expanding this narrative even more, they are publishing their first book, which changes how we perceive this matter.
All the images are by Maggie Shannon, courtesy of Mother Tongue Magazine. Used with permission.
A Photo Book On Motherhood and Caregiving
Titled Extreme Pain, Extreme Joy, the photo book is by photographer Maggie Shannon, who documented childbirth and the celebration of womanhood. The publication comes at a crucial time when women’s autonomy over their bodies and the healthcare system in America are both failing due to propaganda and a right-wing mindset. The book, which will be launched in December, hopes to showcase raw narratives that are often ignored by mainstream news outlets and publications.
Extreme Pain, Extreme Joy depicts the beauty and anguish of motherhood, especially childbirth. The images, shot in intimate spaces, showcase what the birthing process is about and why it is an important but quite ordinary part of life. Maggie Shannon, who began working on the project in 2020 during lockdown, followed childbirths that happened at home and with the aid of midwives. Alongside her black-and-white thought-provoking images, there are also forewords by author Angela Garbes and Shannon’s interview with Gem Fletcher, a critic. The photo book aims to reveal the profound human experience in the context of maternal mortality, a growing concern in America.
With this being the first photo book by Mother Tongue, the media house aims to highlight stories of women and their lived experiences through a cultural lens. They hope that they led to changes in laws and garner more support for mothers.
Why We Need More Photo Books Like These
Let’s face it: a woman’s entire being is often compartmentalized as caregivers or for procreation. With the US turning over Roe vs Wade verdict, we are collectively stepping back into the dark ages. Today, women, not just in America but around the world, face femicide, feticide, honor killing, maternal mortality, gender violence, and much more. However, the right-wing parties collectively downplay the challenges, and the media houses pandering to the elected government overlook the issue. In such cases, independent publications highlight the various challenges faced by women.
For instance, Extreme Pain, and Extreme Joy can bring back the conversation around how Black women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related health issues than white women. There is also a low chance of getting parental leave, better child care for working mothers, or support for their mental well-being. In fact, a lot of women suffer from postpartum after childbirth, which can become fatal for both the mother and child in severe cases. Yet, despite the challenges and resilience women have, their strength is brushed aside. A photo book like Shannon’s is a much-needed discourse on the spectrum of emotion and challenges women who are becoming mothers face. And childbirth is the beginning of a lifelong change. If we cannot recognize women as human beings, our technological progress and growth as a species hold no value.
Extreme Pain, and Extreme Joy can be purchased from Mother Tongue Magazine’s website.