Dottie and Me: Constructing Childless-by-Choice Alternative Rhetorics

Authors

  • Courtney Adams Wooten Stephen F. Austin State University

Keywords:

social media, parenthood, fatherhood, motherhood, childfree, alternative rhetorics

Abstract

Drawing on David L. Wallace's concept of "alternative rhetorics," this essay examines the recent growth of childless-by-choice rhetoric on social media. Analyzing how discourses about parenthood invalidate childless adults and divide parents from childless adults, I argue that the circulation of texts on social media needs to becomes more inclusive of the lives of those who choose to remain childless. Doing so promotes greater discussion about the roles adults can fill and how parenthood has been privileged in our society.

Author Biography

Courtney Adams Wooten, Stephen F. Austin State University

Courtney Adams Wooten is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Director of the First-Year Writing Program. Her research interests include first-year composition, WPA, archival research, and feminist perspectives in rhetoric. Outside of work, she can be found going out to eat with her husband Mikell, enjoying beers with friends, and, of course, playing with Dottie.

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Published

2015-03-14

Issue

No. 13 (2015)

Section

Issue #13

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