The Portrayal of Moms in the Media

When someone mentions the perfect mom, what comes to your mind?  Is it the June Cleaver type, who keeps the house spotless and always has dinner on the table when her husband gets home from work?  Is it the careerwoman who can keep tabs on the kids even while she’s busy bringing home the bacon?  Or is it something else entirely?

The media has changed its view of mothers over the years, but it has also contributed to a number of stereotypes about them.  Although there are some notable exceptions, moms are often portrayed as being completely absorbed in family life.  There is no debating that parenting is first and foremost in most mothers’ lives, but there is more to us than that.

Another prevalent stereotype is that women should be responsible for all housework.  While some women choose to be housewives and do the lion’s share of the cooking and cleaning, this is no longer the norm.  Yet even women who work overtime week in and week out are expected to come home and do the laundry, dishes, and tidying up.

Once thought of as the norm, the stay at home mom is now portrayed quite differently.  Because women now have the freedom to pursue careers, the media has begun to paint the mom who chooses a more domestic life in an unfavorable light.  Stay at home moms in the media are often portrayed as lazy and unwilling to make any type of contribution to their families.  The choice that was once the only choice for women is now largely considered invalid.

The Supermom Complex

The change in the role of mothers has brought forth an ideal that a mom must be all things to all people.  She is, of course, a parent, but she is also expected to have a career, keep up the house, be a companion to her husband, have a social life, and contribute to society through activities such as volunteering.  All of this is quite noble, but it can easily result in us losing ourselves.

In reality, most mothers prefer to focus on either their families or their careers.  Neither one is the wrong choice, but each requires some sacrifices.  The career mom will have to let someone else care for her children while she works.  The domestic mom may put education or career goals on hold in favor of raising her children the way she wants to raise them.

No matter what lifestyle we choose, it is important for us to retain our individuality.  Moms tend to put others’ needs ahead of their own, but we must take the time to nurture ourselves as well.  By exercising our right to choose what we do with our lives, we can break free from the expectations the media pushes on us.

If you need help avoiding the supermom trap, there is a great book for you.