GOING THE WHOLE GRANOLA: HOLISTIC MOTHERHOOD AND COMPROMISE AMONG SELF-DEFINED CRUNCHY MOMS

Abstract

This study is an exploratory semi-structured intensive interview project in which eight self-defining crunchy mothers in North Texas were asked about their mothering and lifestyle practices, motivations for those practices, and how they navigate compromising those practices. This project largely centers around defining crunchy motherhood and, additionally, looks at themes of risk, intensive motherhood, and gendered environmentalism throughout the analyses. Crunchy mothers appear to have internalized intensive motherhood ideals based on the intensive research process involved in deciding on their child rearing tactics. Through research, crunchy mothers are often able to manage the risk their child is exposed to in a way that is simultaneously environmentally beneficial.