Motherhood as a Social Currency- The Value of Children.pdf

The Novel was published in 1979.
Nnu Ego marries but struggles with motherhood in a patriarchal society due to her childlessness.
The book examines the challenges faced by women in Igbo patriarchal society and challenges the idealized conception of motherhood.
Motherhood, gender roles, colonialism, economic difficulty, and societal expectations are all explored in the book, which demonstrates how women give their everything for their children only to be abandoned in old age.
Emecheta questions conventional notions of motherhood, family, and female independence throughout Nnu Ego's journey.

1. Motherhood as a Social
Currency: The Value of
Children
Prepared By: Rahul Desai
Date: 10/03/2025

2. Personal Information
Presented By :- Rahul Desai
Roll No :- 22
Semester :- 4
Paper No :- 206
Paper Name :- The African Literature
Presentation Topic:- Motherhood as a Social Currency: The Value of
Children
Submitted To :- Smt. S.B. Gardi, Department of
English (MKBhavnagar University)
Email ID :- [email protected]

3. Table of Contents
●Introduction of Buchi Emecheta
●Introduction of Novel
●The Cultural Importance of Motherhood in Igbo Society
●Nnu Who's Struggle for Social Validation
●Children as a Measure of a Women’s Success
●The Economic Burden of Motherhood
●Betrayal of Maternal Expectation
●The Role of Men in the Value of Motherhood
●Conclusion

4. Research Question :-
How does The Joys of Motherhood critique the socio-economic and
cultural expectations of motherhood in Igbo society, and what
alternative paths for female empowerment does it present?
Hypothesis :-
The novel argues that motherhood in Igbo society is not inherently
fulfilling but rather an economic and emotional burden, as seen through
Nnu Ego’s struggles, while characters like Adaku highlight financial
independence as a viable alternative to traditional gender roles.

5. Introduction of Buchi Emecheta
❖Igbo author Buchi Emecheta was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on July 21,
1944, and passed away in London, England, on January 25, 2017. Her
works mostly address the challenging and unequal role of women in
both African and immigrant society, as well as the conflict between
tradition and modernity.
❖She started penning novels based on her experiences, especially the
difficulties she first faced while living in England.
❖ The Ditch (1972), Second-Class Citizen (1974), single volume Adah’s
Story (1983)
❖Emecheta's three main themes are women's dignity, self-confidence,
and the pursuit of equal treatment.

6. Introduction of Novel
❖The Novel was published in 1979.
❖Nnu Ego marries but struggles with motherhood in a
patriarchal society due to her childlessness.
❖The book examines the challenges faced by women in
Igbo patriarchal society and challenges the idealized
conception of motherhood.
❖Motherhood, gender roles, colonialism, economic
difficulty, and societal expectations are all explored in the
book, which demonstrates how women give their
everything for their children only to be abandoned in old
age.
❖Emecheta questions conventional notions of motherhood,
family, and female independence throughout Nnu Ego's
journey.

7. The Cultural Importance of Motherhood in
Igbo Society
❏In Igbo society, a woman’s status is primarily defined by her ability to bear
children, especially sons, as seen in Nnu Ego’s struggles.
❏Motherhood is considered a woman’s greatest duty, requiring immense
self-sacrifice, but the novel critiques this expectation as ultimately
unrewarding.
❏Motherhood shifts from a communal role in Igbo tradition to an individual
struggle in colonial Lagos.
❏Polygamy reinforces patriarchal dominance, and while Nnu Ego accepts it,
Adaku, her co-wife, rejects it, showing different paths for Igbo women.
❏The novel’s ironic title exposes the harsh realities of motherhood, where
sacrifices do not guarantee respect or security, leaving Nnu Ego isolated
and disillusioned.
❏Emecheta critiques patriarchal traditions, questioning whether
motherhood in Igbo society brings true joy or lifelong suffering. (Prakash)

8. Nnu Ego’s Struggle for Social Validation
❖Nnaif says, "I'm not giving you a penny, because I haven't a penny to
give," in response to Nnu Ego's plea for money so she may provide for
her kids (Emecheta 1979, 136).
❖These statements imply that a woman is a man's slave and that
patriarchal society oppresses her. "She was a prison, imprisoned by her
love for her children […] it was not fair she felt, the way men cleverly
used a woman's sense of responsibility to actually enslave her," is a true
statement (137).
❖Ego's perceptions on the African patriarchy are based on her
experiences as a mother who has been marginalized and oppressed.
(Balavatbhai)

9. Children as a Measure of a Women’s Success
❖A woman's value in Igbo society is determined by her
capacity to have offspring, particularly sons.
❖In the community, motherhood confers security,
respect, and social standing.
❖Being childless or infertile is viewed as a curse, which
can result in shame or rejection.
❖Women suffer because they think their kids will take
care of them when they get old.
❖By demonstrating that parental sacrifices do not
necessarily ensure future support, the book challenges
this notion. (Emecheta)

10. The Economic Burden of Motherhood
❖Nnu Ego, who, while managing household duties. works
tirelessly as a petty trader due to her husband Nnaife’s
unstable income and lack of support.
❖The colonial system limits men to low-paying jobs, forcing
mothers like Nnu Ego into informal labor, while polygamy
further strains financial resources.
❖Mothers sacrifice for their children, but society devalues their
labor, as seen in Nnu Ego’s abandonment, highlighting the
futility of motherhood as financial security.
❖Adaku rejects traditional motherhood, prioritizing financial
independence over societal expectations, as Emecheta
highlights economic freedom (idea of business) as key to
women's stability. (Blay, & Felicia)

11. Betrayal of Maternal Expectation
❖Unfulfilled Sacrifices: Nnu Ego dedicates her life to her children, yet they
abandon her, exposing the futility of maternal sacrifices.
❖Patriarchal Expectations vs. Reality: Igbo society glorifies motherhood,
but the novel reveals its economic and emotional hardships.
❖Economic and Emotional Exploitation: Mothers sacrifice for their
children, yet modern society prioritizes success over filial duty, leaving them
neglected.
❖Contrasting Motherhood Choices: Nnu Ego suffers within tradition,
while Adaku rejects norms, choosing financial independence over maternal
burdens.
❖Irony of the Title: The Joys of Motherhood is ironic, as Nnu Ego’s life is
marked by suffering, not fulfillment. (Kamankura, & Dr. Jackson)

12. The Role of Men in the Value of Motherhood
❖Men as Gatekeepers: In Igbo society, a woman’s worth depends on
bearing sons, shaping her status.
❖Economic Dependence: Fathers and husbands control finances, while
mothers struggle to raise children.
❖Polygamy’s Burden: Men dictate family structures, adding economic and
emotional strain on women.
❖Lack of Support: Nnaife fails as a provider, forcing women into labor
while managing childcare.
❖Patriarchal Contradictions: Men impose motherhood as duty but offer
little support, leaving mothers abandoned. (Emecheta)

13. Conclusion
❖"The Joys of Motherhood" by Buchi Emecheta critically analyzes
motherhood as an economic hardship and social obligation in
Igbo culture. The novel emphasizes the hardships faced by
mothers like Nnu Ego, who put their health first for their kids
only to be abandoned and suffer as a result. It exposes the social,
emotional, and financial constraints of motherhood as a result
of colonial and patriarchal pressures, challenging the idealized
view of motherhood. Emecheta encourages a reevaluation of
conventional gender norms by offering alternate avenues for
female empowerment through opposing characters like Adaku.

14. Learning Outcomes
❖Understanding how motherhood defines a woman’s
status in Igbo society.
❖Analyzing the economic and emotional struggles of
mothers under patriarchy.
❖Recognizing the contradictions in societal
expectations of motherhood.
❖Exploring the impact of colonialism and
modernization on women’s roles.

15. Works Cited
➔Balavatbhai, Varde Hirenkumar. “Tale of African Women: Buchi
Emecheta’s a joy of motherhood.” International Journal of Advanced
Academic Studies. 11-14. 2020. E-ISSN: 2706-8927.
https://www.allstudyjournal.com/article/77/2-2-7-521.pdf. Accessed 27
Feb. 2025.
➔Blay, Richmond Amgbo, and Felicia Annin. Unpacking the Image of the
Female Character: The Joys of Motherhood in Perspective, vol. 3, no. 2,
Apr. 2022. ISSN: 2722-5674. DOI:https://doi.org/10.47175/rissjv3i2.440.
Accessed 08 March 2025.
➔Emecheta, Buchi. The Joys of Motherhood. New York: Gorge Braziller, Inc.
1979.

16. ➔Kamankura, Nelly Gatuti, and Dr. Jackson Gikunda Njogu. Motherhood or
Womanhood? A Closer Analysis of Buchi Emecheta’s the Joys of Motherhood,
vol. 8, no. 10, Oct. 2024.
https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/motherhood-or-womanh
ood-a-closer-analysis-of-buchi-emechetas-the-joys-of-motherhood/. Accessed
08 March 2025.
➔Prakash, Dr. Shalini. “Importance of Motherhood in Bucchi Emerchetta’s Joys
of Motherhood”. Vol. 3, No. 4. December 2021. ISSN 2581-7795.
https://www.irjweb.com
Importance%20of%20Motherhood%20in%20Bucchi%20Emerchettas%20Joy
s%20of%20Motherhood.pdf. Accessed 08 March 2025.
➔The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Buchi Emecheta". Encyclopedia
Britannica, 21 Jan. 2025,
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buchi-Emecheta. Accessed 10 March
2025.

17. Thank You