Collective parent action: A review of motivations, experiences, and social transformations

Parents-caregivers of children and other kin-often become involved in collective action because they see a need for change, and because it is part of their practice of caring and thriving. This review traces the mobilization of mothers and caregivers working on progressive community organizing campaigns, what we call collective parent action. We center the experiences of socially marginalized groups and focus on three main areas of inquiry: (1) why caregivers, largely mothers of color, become involved in collective action; (2) what constraints and supports their involvement; and (3) how their involvement shapes them and their families. We end with three main directions for future research and a call for studies to continue to explore the interconnections of gender, family, and collective action.