1. What does “intensive grandmothering” reveal about modern family life?
We often think of grandmothers as loving figures who spoil their grandkids with cookies and occasional weekend visits. However, many grandmothers are shouldering daily responsibilities with many similarities to parenting, from regular childcare to managing logistics and even financial support. This isn’t just an expression of love, it’s unpaid labor that may come with considerable sacrifice and personal costs. Many grandmothers want to ease their daughters’ stress, but what starts as a short-term favor often extends into years of care. The “intensive grandmothering” phenomenon is rooted in the ideology of “intensive mothering,” which centers on children’s needs and demands high parental investment. I argue that in many families, motherhood is really an intergenerational endeavor. The intergenerational aspects are often invisible and deeply gendered.
2. How have you seen gender dynamics in families shift (or not shift) over time?
While women have made strides in the workplace, caregiving expectations remain stubbornly unequal. Most men today do more unpaid labor than their fathers, but women are still globally the specialists in childcare and housework. This is starker in Russia, where I did earlier fieldwork for my first book, but also true in the United States. In both contexts, single mothers often rely on their own mothers for support. What’s striking is how this labor remains taken for granted, especially when done by older women. In reality, grandparental labor is a critical part of how some mothers manage parenthood. Gender expectations shape who is seen as the ‘natural’ caregiver, and there’s a quick cultural assumption that older women are simply more willing and available. My research finds many grandmothers have mixed feelings about helping too much while also having other goals beyond childcare.
3. What inspired your interest in sociology—and in studying families in particular?
My path to sociology wasn’t one defining moment, it was a process. After serving in the U.S. Peace Corps, I worked in international development in my twenties, in Washington, DC, and gradually realized I cared more about digging deeper into issues of social inequality and culture than I did about marketing a consulting firm’s services. That led me to see sociology as a useful toolkit for better understanding the world. I also felt sociology could help to explain some of my own experiences growing up on the south side of Chicago where differences of class, gender, and race loomed large. Looking back, I’ve long been drawn to women’s stories and their overlooked histories. After receiving mixed advice about focusing on gender and families earlier in my grad school career, I’m glad I ultimately trusted my gut instincts.
4. What do you enjoy most about teaching at Puget Sound?
I wasn’t officially on the job market back when I applied, was caring for a newborn, but I applied to a few places where I’d enjoy living and got lucky. The liberal arts model was a natural fit. I’ve always valued small class sizes and lifelong learning. The students here expect to be engaged and challenged, and that makes teaching joyful. I also appreciate the supportive Puget Sound faculty community. My colleagues are incredibly inspiring. The combination of intellectual community and collegiality is rare. In addition to teaching, I just completed my first year as Director of the Faculty Development Center, where I help colleagues find support for their varied goals and connections with fellow faculty. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to supporting diverse faculty. I try to bring a sociological lens to both interactions with faculty and the programming developed at FDC.
5. Outside of your academic work, what’s something that might surprise students or readers — any hidden hobbies or interests?
I’d love to say I have a well-developed passion project, but I might have to wait until my youngest heads off to college to find such time! I used to scuba dive and still dream about the vibrant sea life I encountered, like colorful nudibranchs in Monterey Bay or an octopus on a night dive in Mexico. These days, I’m more grounded, quite literally, in the plant world. I love escaping to a local nursery and pondering which hellebore to add to my shade garden. Nature is a constant thread in my life, whether I’m watching David Attenborough documentaries, walking through national parks, or simply exploring my neighborhood. I also like reading, baking, cooking, and attending musical and cultural events. During the summer, I especially enjoy traveling with my three sons. We try to turn each trip into a bit of an adventure.
