Elizabeth Bortolaia Silva is Research Fellow and runs the Gender Analysis and Policy Unit in the School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds.

• Introduction, Elizabeth Bortolaia Silva; Chapter 1 The Transformation of Mothering, Elizabeth Bortolaia Silva; Chapter 2 Deconstructing Motherhood, Carol Smart; Chapter 3 Mothering and Social Responsibilities in a Cross-Cultural Perspective, Henrietta L.Moore; Chapter 4 Diversity in Patterns of Parenting and Household Formation, Carolyn Baylies; Chapter 5 Mothers, Workers, Wives, Jane Millar; Chapter 6 Rational Economic Man or Lone Mothers in Context?, Rosalind Edwards, Simon Duncan; Chapter 7 ‘Parental Responsibility’: The Reassertion of Private Patriarchy?, Lorraine M.Fox Harding; Chapter 8 Social Anxieties about Lone Motherhood and Ideologies of the Family, Mary McIntosh; Chapter 9 Debates on Disruption, Louie Burghes; Chapter 10 Social Constructions of Lone Motherhood, Ann Phoenix; Chapter 11 Unpalatable Choices and Inadequate Families, Roseneil Sasha, Kirk Mann;

'This volume's contributors tackle questions important in both academic and political debates: can single mothers be good mothers? Why the increase in single motherhood across many countries? How does social policy affect single-mother families?' - Journal of Social Policy'Thoughtful, insightful and theoretically sophisticated perspectives on a subject which is often the target of blanket pathologising attack ... reader-friendly and engaging...accessibly written.' - Capital and Class'A sobering piece of political sociology that focuses on Britain but could productively be read by social analysts in every region of the world.' - Population and Development Review'A wide-ranging and stimulating discussion...well written and offers critical analyses of key issues including the Child Support Act, the outcomes of lone motherhood for children and the underclass debate.' - Health Visitor'Exemplifies the diversity of feminist thought around lone mothering.' - Feminism & Psychology