Discussion

Discussion Lynn Y. Weiner AHvely discussion foUowed the paper presentation and focused both on refining the definitions offered in each case and presenting evidence from yet more national histories. The notion of maternalism was briefly related to such countries as Austraha, Sweden, Senegal, Romania, and France. The audience emphasized the importance of a global perspective (in the context of what was seen as the individuahstic American case), and also cautioned about appropriating a single vocabulary for various times, cultures, and places. Some of the panelists were charged with being historicaUy impredse. There was extended debate over the degree to which maternalism and feminism were cormeded, and also some concern about the essentialism evident in some of the papers. Questions were raised about the importance of distinguishing between the sources of maternalist rhetoric as opposed to maternahst practice. FinaUy, the audience emphasized the value of continued comparative work on defining maternaHsm as a paradigm. © 1993 Journal of Women's History, Vol s No. 2 (Fall) ...