A Mother's Love, By Nancy Schepher-Hughes

Many have considered mothers the family structure because mothers do whatever they can to ensure each of her child is safe, happy, supported in any way and loved. Although children are a blessing, it does have a fair share of frustrations, irritation, and annoyance. A mother’s love is nearly impossible to understand, but it is defined to be a vital point of children’s well-being as it shapes cultures and individuals. As foretold, women carry their young for nine months before they are born and continue to nurture them throughout their childhood, and sometimes into adulthood. Again, nothing beats a mother’s love because it is endless and nurturing. But what happens when a mother neglects the child’s need? According to an article, “Mother’s Love:
Just when Hughes were gathering information for her job position in Peace Corps, she comes back as an anthropologist to further her studies of the women in Alto. It all began where Schepher-Hughes constantly heard the church bells ringing. When asked to her caretaker, Nailza de Arruda, Hughes was answered, “Just another little angel gone to heaven.” (Schepher-Hughes 2009:124). Bringing to her attention of Arruda’s answer and remembering that one out many of Arruda’s dead children, little Joan, Hughes nearly took 25 years (where 15 years later in 1982, she became a full-time anthropology) to understand why the Alto women did not weep for the death of their child. After searching and conducting field topic such as expedition, keeping records of the lives of mothers and their children, Hughes had learned that the relationship between a child loss, mother’s ability to express maternal love, and poverty is very critical. No once had she saw an Alto woman weep for her dead child. In hopes for the future, Hughes hopes that in her field study that the Alto women would change their life around to help their child, who are dying for the