Diary of Losing a Breast and Reflections on Mothering as an Arab

Abstract

Drawing on scholarship in feminist studies, sociolinguistics, and cultural studies, this article-diary argues that motherhood—particularly as experienced by an Arab woman navigating personal loss, specifically the loss of a breast to cancer, and societal expectations—is not a static role but a dynamic practice shaped by cultural, linguistic, and feminist frameworks. This article explores how motherhood is a site of resistance and transformation against patriarchal norms by weaving together personal narratives and theoretical insights. It critically examines the limitations of language—specifically in Arabic, where the word “mother” is predominantly used as a noun—and advocates for reimagining and rethinking maternal roles as active and evolving practices. Through reflections on breast cancer, and the care exchanged between a mother and her mothering daughter, this piece positions the maternal as inherently political, thereby challenging conventional narratives of femininity and identity. Ultimately, it asserts that caregiving, loss, and resilience are acts of agency that redefine the self and resist the broader constraints imposed by patriarchal structures.