Motherhood and Apple Pie: A UK Perspective on Mothers Who Misuse Drugs.

In this commentary, I explore two questions raised by Angelotta and Appelbaum's study. First, I offer an English legal perspective on the protection of children from their mothers, looking at both civil (family) and criminal law. Second, I discuss the idealization of motherhood that is implied by the prosecution of pregnant women; the denigration of those who fail this ideal; and the way that idealization and denigration contribute to injustice for women. I conclude by offering comments on the implications for those assessing women accused of harming their unborn child.