A reflection on elderhood without motherhood.
“Because Alterkin is, at its heart, a practice in relearning what it is to be a human being, not just a human doing. This is ancient human technology.”
– Jody Day
With traditional family structures changing, Jody Day reflects on what it means to grow older without children (elderhood without motherhood), and who we turn to for care and connection in their absence. Her idea of “AlterKin” (Alternative Kinship Circles) describes chosen networks of friendship and mutual support, suggesting a shift from family-based care to intentional care that is built from community. As she puts it herself, ‘care can be a beautiful experience too.’
