The unmarried mother's struggle for agency in late 20th and early 21st century Scotland

Description

The health and welfare services available for Scottish unmarried mothers and their infants during the decades following the introduction of the NHS reflected regional variations. Agricultural communities in Northeastern Scotland and Ayrshire accepted the single mother and her infant(s) into the family and community. In the central belt, and particularly the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, religio-politico-socio anxieties surrounding sex manifested itself in shame and stigma surrounding pregnancy outside of marriage. Unmarried expectant mothers were frequently shunned by their families and resorted to friends or charities for assistance. Yet cities also made it easier for unmarried mothers to remain anonymous and to hide their true circumstances. Utilising a combination of religious, institutional and organisational records, legislation, media reports and victims’ testimonies, this paper explores the changing nature of agency surrounding Scottish unmarried mothers alongside the boundaries of motherhood. While gaps in the historical narrative remain, this paper highlights how at different times and in different locations, policy and services could assist or constrain the unmarried woman’s agency. Moreover, the unmarried mother’s struggle for agency remained throughout her life and came to incorporate the child(ren) born out of wedlock.

Period	19 Mar 2025 → 21 Mar 2025
Degree of Recognition	International