The Changing Face of Motherhood
Motherhood has dramatically transformed across cultures and generations from revered matriarchs overseeing joint families to busy moms juggling careers and domestic duties. However one aspect remains unchanged , it continues to be a profoundly life-altering role for a woman.
Ancient and indigenous societies viewed motherhood as an exalted duty entwined with feminine identity. Goddess cults in prehistoric eras venerated female fertility and nurturing powers. Mothers instructed daughters on community customs as oral tradition keepers. Extended families and tribes provided support systems sharing the mammoth responsibilities of raising children.
Industrialization led to nuclear households relying solely on maternal caregiving. Victorian ideals expected mothers to be utterly devoted to children’s welfare and character development. Though revered, the role grew more isolated and demanding. Domestic expertise became the metric for good mothers with drudgery romanticized as a labor of love.
The 60s feminist movement questioned conventions by celebrating mothers reclaiming individual aspirations beyond family obligations. But the same era also heralded intensive parenting philosophies placing children’s needs first with mothers as primary caregivers. So while more women entered the workforce, they remained tethered to traditional nurturer expectations at home.
Cut to today and mothers wear multiple hats but still bear the brunt of childrearing duties. Housework equations show women spend double or triple the time men invest in children and chores. Working mothers are norm today but few husbands meaningfully share the load. So moms remain harried trying to “have it all”.
Nuclear families, career goals and materialism pressure mothers calibrate expectations daily. Financial compulsions lead some mothers seeking employment soon after delivering. By contrast, attachment parenting theories advocate drastically extended maternal bonding. So mothers face polarized messaging about the “right” way to raise kids.
Research into matters like ideal maternal ages, nutrition values, sleep patterns contrast with laidback wisdom from past eras. Postpartum depression also debilitates mothers already struggling with identity loss and exhaustion from newborn care. Community support networks are rare while extended families may bring unintended pressures.
Contradictory expectations surrounding intensive mothering, together with stark lack of social support, create a lonely furrow for mothers to plough. Doing everything “perfectly” is impossible, seeded by disproportionate blame on maternal mistakes. Mainstream messaging ignores realities of temperamental babies, special needs, single parenthood or bereavement.
Rather than romanticize the role, postpartum preparation must include psychological strengthening and self-care. Partners should share care duties equitably, not just occasionally “help”. Workplaces can demonstrate support via options like flex-time, job shares, extended maternity leaves and mothers’ rooms. Access to mental health support groups as well as counselors at daycares or preschools would offer outlets when overwhelmed.
Government and nonprofit quarters providing free ante/postnatal classes, lactation consultants, childcare subsidies, parent helplines etc. can relieve the journey’s financial and emotional burdens. Ultimately investing in mothers upholds future generations.
The choice to become a mother transforms life’s purpose forever. The role’s demands enormous but so do its rewards. Supporting mothers via progressive cultural shifts, policy reforms and modern infrastructure is vital so that motherhood can evolve from a stoic sacrifice towards an empowering honor. After all, raising children remains society’s most pivotal responsibility. As the African proverb goes “It takes a village to raise a child” reconstructing that nurturing village must now become our collective priority.
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Excellent writing. I agree with you, every mother should have more help especially at the stage when the children are so young, it is very difficult, also through all the years involved in raising a child. At least for the mother and father some laws should be a little more flexible, especially when a new baby comes into this world. I love reading you, best regards!
This is just so perfect. The changing phases of every aspect of life, motherhood inclusive, has made life almost more difficult.
If I were to dictate a model, motherhood styles adopted during primitive times are still the best.
Nicely written.
#dreemerforlife
Motherhood is enough to be a full-time job especially at the early stage of the baby. I can only imagine how career women manage to scale through the tasks and bond with the baby properly. I have seen many cases where the mother takes the absolute blame for wrongdoings of the child. The government need to have favourable policies to help mothers navigate through the process.
Thank you for brilliant article.
#dreemerforlife
I wish in a country like our there were ways to appreciate mothers especially the working class moms it's actually not easy
Balancing motherhood is an art. The realism behind the challenges mothers face... we - men may look strong, but the real heroes are the mothers.
It's no small feat for working mothers who are trying to juggle work with also keeping the family.
This is why it's best to have supportive partners who can help share out of the workload.
This is beautifully written. Thank you for sharing.
#dreemerforlife
Life pattern changes once one becomes a mother and you have to prepare yourself to nurture a child well.