maternalcentric

Maternalcentric is an adjective describing approaches, studies, or systems that center mothers and maternal experiences in analysis, design, or policy. The term signals a shift from paternal-centric or child-centric frameworks toward a focus on the maternal role in caregiving, health, and social organization. It is used across disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, public health, and consumer research. In academic contexts, maternalcentric theories may examine how motherhood shapes kinship, labor, economic decision making, and social networks, often emphasizing the social construction of motherhood and the responsibilities and constraints placed on mothers. In applied domains, maternalcentric design or policy prioritizes maternal needs and well-being as a pathway to improving child outcomes, such as maternal health services, parental leave policies, flexible work arrangements, and caregiving support.

The term is not equivalent to matriarchy or matrilineality; maternalcentrism denotes emphasis or centrality of the maternal role within a framework, rather than political dominance or lineage structure. It can reflect both descriptive analyses of social life and prescriptive aims in policy or product development.

Critics warn that maternalcentrism can risk essentializing motherhood, overlooking paternal involvement or non-traditional family structures, and potentially blaming mothers for broader social issues. Proponents argue that it highlights under-supported caregiving roles, exposes gaps in health, economic, and social policy, and guides design and programming toward families’ real needs.

See also: matriarchy, matrilineality, matrifocality, motherhood studies, caregiver burden, maternal health.