Queer Earth Mothering: Thinking Through the Biological Paradigm of Motherhood
Justin Morris
About Queer Earth Mothering
Justin Morris’s article is one of those rare pieces of philosophy that makes you sit back and go: Whoa. Why haven’t we always thought this way? In “Queer Earth Mothering: Thinking Through the Biological Paradigm of Motherhood,” Morris takes two huge themes—care and the environment—and queers them, offering a new way to think about parenthood, identity, and how we treat the planet.
At the heart of the article is a radical but surprisingly intuitive question: Why do we act like biological reproduction is the ultimate form of motherhood? Morris builds on feminist philosopher Christine Overall’s argument that, in a world facing ecological crisis, people in wealthy societies should seriously rethink having multiple biological children. But he doesn’t stop there. He digs into the cultural obsession with biological motherhood and asks: What if we cared more about love and connection than DNA?
That’s where Queer Earth Mothering (QEM) comes in. Drawing on ideas from Shelley M. Park’s “queering motherhood” and ecofeminism, Morris proposes a new model of care—one that’s not defined by gender roles, biology, or tradition. QEM is about expanding our understanding of who can mother, how care works, and how we relate to the earth. It challenges the idea that “real” motherhood has to come from your own womb and says: actually, care can come from anyone, and it matters more how you nurture than how you reproduce.
Morris also links all this to climate justice. In his view, we shouldn’t just rethink family structures—we need to rethink how we live on the planet. QEM calls for a more sustainable, relational way of being in the world: one that treats the earth not as a resource to be used up, but as a being to be cared for—mothered, even.
This article doesn’t just challenge cultural norms—it invites us to live more ethically, more intentionally, and more compassionately, both with people and with the planet.
Before You Read
What does it mean to care for something—or someone? And who gets to be considered a “mother”? In this reading, Justin Morris invites us to rethink all of that. Using feminist and queer theory, he shows how our culture has narrowed what it means to be a caregiver, especially by centering biological reproduction as the “ideal” form of motherhood.
But what if care isn’t tied to biology at all? What if being a “mother” is really about how you show up for others—whether that’s through adoption, chosen family, mentorship, or even ecological activism?
Before you read, consider the connections between care, identity, and justice. Who are you responsible for? How do you engage with the earth? And how might reimagining care help us live in a more sustainable, inclusive world?
Guiding Questions
- What is “Queer Earth Mothering,” and how does it challenge traditional views of motherhood?
- How does Morris connect environmental ethics with feminist and queer theories of care?
- Why does he critique the focus on biological reproduction in affluent societies?
- In what ways might QEM reshape how we understand the self’s relationship to others—and to the planet?
Where to Find this Reading
Required Reading (original): The required reading is licensed with an open license and available as an open educational resource
Supplementary Reading: This text is not in the public domain or share with a Creative Commons License. Your college or university may have access to this reading through this source:
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