Motherhood Discounted: Care Work in America Before and After Roe

by Carolyn McConnell

For readers trying to make sense of America’s political turmoil and eroding reproductive rights, an incisive examination, enhanced with personal stories, of how care work has been extracted and compelled throughout American history.

In the wake of Dobbs, and now with the country in the grip of Trump and a resurgent far right, the question everyone seems to be asking is—How could this happen in America? Lawyer Carolyn McConnell has a few ideas.

After becoming a mother, McConnell was forced to face the myth of autonomy that American individualism the idea that independence is always good and dependence always bad. Why does America have such a problem offering social support for care work, she wondered, when mothering is the essential work of reproducing society?

In Motherhood Discounted, McConnell turns a searching eye on autonomy, asking what it is and what it is for. Tracing this myth’s development through American history, she frames each episode with personal stories and incisive analysis. In doing so, she offers women readers of all ages seeking to understand their own experiences in these disturbing times a potent explanation for how we got here—and sounds a clarion call for political change.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Off Service Book Recs]

A mother's work is never done, and only rarely properly compensated. And in the wake of political turmoil and eroding reproductive rights in the United States of America, this will only get worse. As author Carolyn McConnell learned when she had her own children - and when she learned more about her own mother and grandmothers' histories - America has a problem offering social support for care work even though mothering is the essential work of reproducing society. In her land mark book, McConnell combines critical examination and personal stories to turn an eye on the myth of autonomy, tracing its history and offering readers of all ages seeking to understand their own experiences in these horrendous times a potent explanation for how we got here—and an urgent clarion call for political change.

I often seek out feminist literature to read, but this is one of the first time's I've read an account that specifically addresses motherhood - and I think anyone interested in the intersection of feminism, parenthood, and economy should strongly consider reading this book. McConnell's research was incredibly enlightening - like many people, I think there's a nebulous recognition of motherhood as sacrifice, but the historical dive into the specific ways in which motherhood - and general care work provided by largely female family members - has been downplayed yet required, undervalued, yet essential, was eye-opening (and, of course, rage-inducing). Readers of all ages should take heed regarding the ways politics past and present have sought to capitalize on the "free" labor of mothers and caretakers, and keep this in mins especially when aging (learning about social security for homemakers and caretakers in this book was infuriating, for example).

I learned quite a bit in reading this relatively short book, have started looking around my community with new eyes, and think the messages McConnell brings to this discussion are incredibly important, and will continue to be vital especially as rights continue to be eroded under the current administration. Feminism is for everyone, and word to the mothers who have gotten us to a point where we can look back and plan for a better future because of their thankless sacrifices.

[Rachael]

Motherhood Discounted offers a thought-provoking and relevant critique of the so-called autonomy myth, one that argues America's ideals of independence obscure society's reliance on undervalued care work. The kind of work that is often undertaken by women. Connecting these ideas to contemporary American policy, Motherhood Discounted highlights how underfunded welfare programs and the rise of right-wing movements have and continue to shape reproductive rights and the care economy, from maternity homes, abortion rights, to adoption. Grounded in historical and cultural analysis, the book is both accessible and diligently researched. I also appreciated the author sharing their own lived experiences throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristy Cooley]

I wanted to read this book after reading Leah Libresco Sargeant's "The Dignity of Dependence", where Sargeant is explaining similar themes as McConnell - that we can never truly be autonomous. I found that idea so freeing as an engineer turned stay at home mom of an infant and toddler. So, when McConnell's book was suggested to me in Libby, I was excited to read it.

The ideas presented in this book were not new to me, but they were presented with such vitriol that it was difficult to read. I found many of the chapters informative and well researched, but they did not flow well together and the glue holding the book together was McConnell's rage. I understand that the point of the book was to examine motherhood in light of the Dobbs decision, but I found that tying every point back to abortion to be exhausting. Also, McConnell's claim that "we invented the fetus" is laughable, unscientific, and frankly unhinged.

I'd highly suggest skipping this book and reading "The Dignity of Dependence" instead.

[Carole H.]

I was intrigued by the title of Carolyn McConnell’s new book, Motherhood Discounted. It seemed so stark an accusation. But once I picked up a copy, I quickly saw what she meant and I found the book hard to put down. McConnell is a vivid writer and the chapters revealing the multiplicity of ways mothers and motherhood are indeed discounted in the U.S. flowed fluidly and briskly. The personal background and context the author includes throughout (she has lived a fascinating life!) never detracted from the book’s core argument: that although autonomy is purported to be an essential feature of U.S. democracy in fact there is no such thing as autonomy and never has been. She uses this broad rubric to examine why mothers so devalued in U.S. society and why motherhood -- and all other forms of dependency --are significant barriers to women’s equality. Her argument is original and provocative. Recommended with enthusiasm.