Parental activism movements are strengthening around the world and often spark tense personal and political debate. With an emphasis on Russia and Central and Eastern Europe, this collection analyzes formal organizations as well as informal networks and online platforms which mobilize parents to advocate for change on a grassroots level. In doing so, the work collected here explores the interactions between the politics, everyday life, and social activism of mothers and fathers. From fathers' rights movements to natural childbirth to vaccination debates, these essays provide new insight into the identities and strategies applied by these movements as they confront local ideals of gender and family with global ideologies.
"This is an excellent collection with conceptual and methodological unity and high quality contributions that are thoroughly researched…The work makes a real contribution to the field (both theoretically and empirically), challenges stereotypes, and presents new areas of valuable research."
Nanette Funk, co-editor of Gender Politics and Post-Communism: Reflections from Eastern Eu
"We see here evidence of engaged citizens, not directly challenging political leaders about broad economic or political policies, but seeking to change public attitudes to vital issues facing people in their everyday lives as parents…This is very much a contribution to scholarship and knowledge. We just don't know about this type of activism."
David Ost, author of The Defeat of Solidarity: Anger and Politics in Post-Communist Europe
