The School for Good Mothers

In what ways does the school resemble a prison, and what is the significance of this parallel?

How are the fathers in the novel treated differently from the mothers, and what does this show about the cultural expectations placed on motherhood?

The novel shows how mothers’ experiences and parenting styles can be informed by their race, nationality, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, marital status, and more. Choose one mother and analyze how her traits impact her experience and parenting style, and how they are perceived by Child Protective Services (CPS).

Which unreasonable expectations (or myths) about motherhood are used to justify the school’s existence and methods? Why are these expectations unreasonable, and how does trying to live up to them harm the mothers?

How does the novel complicate the ethics of using advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to aid in the instruction, evaluation, and judging of parents?

Why does Frida think it’s unfair for her various therapists to blame her mother for her problems? In what ways did Frida’s mother influence her current mindset?

Analyze Frida’s resentment and eventual warmth toward Susanna. What allows this change to occur?

As portrayed in the novel, is CPS ethical? Cite actions taken by CPS that you feel are acceptable or unacceptable, and explain why you think so.