The Tension Between Evolutionary Biology & Modern Motherhood with "We Are Animals" Author Jennifer Case

For the 182nd episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes Jennifer Case, author of We Are Animals: On the Nature and Politics of Motherhood.  Jennifer explains how human maternal behavior makes more sense when viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology and how these biological instincts often clash with modern societal expectations of motherhood, creating tensions that manifest in issues like maternal mental health, isolation, and lack of support. We discuss Jennifer's personal experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood, including the challenges she faced with her second unintended pregnancy and her husband's opposition to abortion. She also opens up about her challenges in balancing academic and career ambitions with the demands of motherhood, how she navigates the complexities of sharing childcare responsibilities equitably with her husband, and how she reconciles her feminist ideals with the realities of motherhood. For more from today's guest, Jennifer Case: Buy Jennifer's book We Are Animals: On the Nature and Politics of Motherhood Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jennie.case Check out Jennifer's website jenniferlcase.com Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Courtney is teaching the writing and publishing intensive of your dreams this January. It's called New Year's Newsletter & Pitch Party Extravaganza, and it will definitely take your writing practice and career to the next level. To join the fun, head to courtneykocak.com/teaching and use code PRIVATE for $100 off. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Feeld: The dating app for open-minded individuals. Download Feeld on the App Store or Google Play. Our Sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. Fleshlight is the #1 selling male sex toy in the world. Looking for your next pocket pal? Save 10% on your next Fleshlight with Promo Code: PRIVATE at fleshlight.com. STDCheck.com is the leader in reliable and affordable lab-based STD testing. Just go to ppupod.com, click STDCheck, and use code Private to get $10 off your next STI test. Explore yourself and say yes to self-pleasure with Lovehoney. Save 15% off your next favorite toy from Lovehoney when you go to lovehoney.com and enter code AFF-PRIVATE at checkout. https://linktr.ee/PrivatePartsUnknownAds If you love this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and sexy review! —> ratethispodcast.com/private  Psst... sign up for our Private Parts Unknown newsletter for bonus content related to our episodes! privatepartsunknown.substack.com Let’s be friends on social media! Follow the show on Instagram @privatepartsunknown and Twitter @privatepartsun. Connect with host Courtney Kocak @courtneykocak on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices