18. The Changing 'Joys of Motherhood'
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Title: The Joys of Motherhood Author: Buchi Emecheta Genre: Historical Novel Publishers: Heinenemann (African Writers Series) Pages: 254 ISBN: 978-0435-913540 Year: First Published in 1979 (this edition 2008) Country: Nigeria The Joys of Motherhood is a story set in Lagos, Nigeria, between the 1930s and the period leading up to independence in the 60s. It recounts the metamorphosis of the joys attached to motherhood from the traditional period to the period of colonisation. Before the European influence leading to western-type of education, the joys of a mother is to have many children and many sons who would look after her at old age when her bones would no longer permit her to farm. Children were prized possessions and the choice between seeking wealth and raising children were mutually exclusive events. It was common to be poor in wealth but rich in children and any woman who had such was considered with high esteem, whereas any woman who is unable to conceive ...