Contrasting Tanzanian and Italian Perspectives on Motherhood and Mothering

Abstract

This report reflects on, and contrasts, gender in Italy and among the Wagogo of Tanzania with regard to two distinct concepts: motherhood and mothering. In both realities women are under scrutiny: particularly, their bodies are seen as the vessels of their reproductive capacity and the locus of their sexual activity. Among the Wagogo as well as in Italy women’s sexuality and reproductive potential are subjected to social control which seems to ignore a fundamental consideration—and its implications: a woman is first of all a person. Keywords: Italy, maternity, motherhood, mothering, Wagogo