Inspiration...
Dan, my sister Ellie's finance, recently asked her why I had not been blogging for so long. There are many answers to that question, the simplest of which is that I have been rather unconnected as of late and thus did not feel inspired to write. However, the idea that Dan was thinking about me has called me forward again (not unlike so many people's stories of being called to ministry; it is often not until others recognize and name our gifts that we are able to see what we have to give in ourselves).
A more complex reason for my lack of writing has to do with intersecting identities. About 12 weeks ago, I began the less-than-straightforward journey of living into the identity of being pregnant, a journey that, God willing, will end in me taking on the identity of mother somewhere around February 10th of next year. Although I have not been writing, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what it will mean to become a mother and how my identities as a mother and as a scholar and teacher of religion and theology will intersect. How will I do both? I struggle with a lack of imagination in answering this question. My own mother was employed outside the home until I was born, and then she made the decision to work inside the home from then on. I do not know a lot of women in the academy who have had children while at the beginning stages of their academic careers. Let me put that a different way; I know women who have had children while writing their dissertation, but I do not know their stories. Once again I am reminded of the importance of women having models who can help them imagine futures that may be different than what they have previously known.
A more complex reason for my lack of writing has to do with intersecting identities. About 12 weeks ago, I began the less-than-straightforward journey of living into the identity of being pregnant, a journey that, God willing, will end in me taking on the identity of mother somewhere around February 10th of next year. Although I have not been writing, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what it will mean to become a mother and how my identities as a mother and as a scholar and teacher of religion and theology will intersect. How will I do both? I struggle with a lack of imagination in answering this question. My own mother was employed outside the home until I was born, and then she made the decision to work inside the home from then on. I do not know a lot of women in the academy who have had children while at the beginning stages of their academic careers. Let me put that a different way; I know women who have had children while writing their dissertation, but I do not know their stories. Once again I am reminded of the importance of women having models who can help them imagine futures that may be different than what they have previously known.
posted by Claire Bischoff at 11:56 PM
3 Comments:
Hi Claire,
I read your blog from time to time (may have originally ended up here via Paul Teusner's or Mary Hess' blogs) and wondered if the following books might be of interest with regard to the intersection of the identities of mother and scholar-teacher of religion and theology.
The first was co-written by one of my PhD supervisors (Nicola) and covers their own stories (and those of about 90 women they interviewed) involved in theological/religious studies academia. Primarily evangelical, but not exclusively so.
Creegan, Nicola Hoggard, and Christine D. Pohl. Living on the Boundaries: Evangelical Women, Feminism, and the Theological Academy. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
The second is the autobiographical journey of a woman theologian that I've found useful for myself, and also for various introductory theology students (women and men) I've taught.
Fraser, Elouise Renich. Confessions of a Beginning Theologian. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1998.
They may not be your 'cup of tea' but then again they might be helpful.
All the best with the future.
Stephen.
Let me be a witness to the reality that it IS possible to have children in the early stages of one's theological career. In fact, I happen to believe that it's part of what helped me keep my own priorities straight. But I also have to admit that I couldnt' have done it without the steadfast support of my partner, Eric. In some ways it's an ideal vocation to have with very young children, because as a graduate student you've got a lot more flexibility than most people do. It gets harder in your first teaching position, but I think that the academy is beginning to wake up to the reality that it's important to support people. Certainly, at our place at Luther, we now have SEVERAL faculty with very young children, and I suspect the day is not far off when we'll have our first pregnant professor! (smile -- it's NOT me!)
I can't wait until you get back here to Minnesota -- maybe I can show support in more tangible ways. Hang in there!
blessings,
Mary
Great to have you back online Claire (though I don't blog any more than you; I like to read more than write).
As a male who is neither in the academic profession nor has children, I have very little authority in such matters, but I do have a few thoughts . . .
It seems to me that any theology that is worth its salt is one that intersects with daily life. Preparing to have a baby would certainly immerse a person in the realities of that life. It's difficult to have an aloof, overly spiritualized/intellectualized/idealized theology when you are awoken by 3 am screams and diapers full of s**t.
I know that you don't fall victim to the overly spiritualized kind of theology that can get so dangerous, but I think that having a newborn has the opportunity to make your academic theology even better, if you really immerse yourself in the experience. What better way to learn about life and God than helping raise a child?
Post a Comment
<< Home