Wanted for research: unmarried mothers from the 1960s and 70s

From Afternoons, 1:50 pm on 3 September 2019

The 60s and 70s were a time of tremendous social upheaval: the pill was invented; first-wave feminism took off; the sexual revolution took place.

But attitudes towards unwed mothers were still rooted in hostility, suspicion and disgrace.

Helen Peters, a Masterate student at Massey University, is studying the experiences of unmarried mothers in New Zealand during the 1960s and 1970s. Helen is particularly interested in talking to women who gave birth in public hospitals and who managed their pregnancies out in the community. Medical professionals such as obstetricians, midwives, nurses and social workers who looked after unmarried mothers are also welcome to contact her, as are unmarried fathers. The aim of the research is to track social change and attitudes towards illegitimacy and unmarried motherhood during this time period. All information is confidential and anonymous. Please contact Helen on hlpeters06@gmail.com if you would like further information or to be part of the study.