This essay, titled “Mothering Against Motherhood: doula work, xenohospitality and the idea of the momrade” by Sophie Lewis, explores the concept of “mothering against motherhood” and “family abolition.” She argues for a communist horizon where care work is collectivized and relationships are based on chosen solidarity rather than biological ties, challenging the capitalist and patriarchal norms embedded in the traditional family.
This is an interview conducted with M.E. O’Brien, a leading voice of revolutionary queer politics, gender, and communist theory. The interview explores her concept of family abolition through a Marxist-feminist and queer lens, tracing its historical trajectory within capitalism and socialist movements. O’Brien discusses her influences, the arguments presented in her influential essay “To Abolish the Family,” and the potential of collectivizing care beyond traditional family structures. She examines the historical complexities of family politics in different contexts, including the Soviet Union, as well as the impact of immigration policies on marginalized communities in the U.S., among other key topics.