Parenthood Post- Alexa Campagna

As a woman, I am disappointed at the illusory and idealized way in which the media is portraying motherhood. The truth of the matter is that many people rely heavily on these media images to tell them how to think, what products to buy, and the “correct” ways in which to view the world. Unfortunately for us, the media sensationalizes and exaggerates these images for their own selfish monetary gains or to perpetuate and normalize the idea of a patriarchal society that severely disadvantages women. If women are constantly absorbing images of Kelly Ripa cheerfully doing laundry in her seven inch heels or a mother placing yet another impeccably cooked meal on her family’s dining room table, they may be led to the inaccurate conclusion that motherhood is an easy, painless, and necessary job. I, as of right now, have little desire to have children and when I reveal this to other women they usually react with great disapproval and surprise that I do not wish to go down the life path that is expected of me. If a man were to express his disinterest in having children, people would react indifferently or would admire him for wanting to devote the majority of his time toward building his career. With such pervasive media images of men enduring physical and mental pain during the child rearing process, such as in “Daddy Day Care,” it is little wonder that men are impelled away from the private and into the public sphere of society, a sphere in which they spend limited amounts of time at home with the children. If women are frequently and subtly propelled towards the role of mother, they may feel guilty or selfish if they do not stay-at-home or choose the traditional trajectory of motherhood. If motherhood really does come as naturally, is as emotionally fulfilling, and is as easy as it seems in the media, then why wouldn’t every woman choose to become a mother?

            I was especially shocked by the juxtaposition of the images of motherhood and fatherhood. The images of motherhood amplify the positive and minimize the negative aspects of child rearing, whereas the images of fatherhood do the exact opposite in order to deter men from having too strong of an involvement in the private sphere of domesticity and childcare. While a mother’s job is never quite done and leaves little time for leisurely fun with the children, the father has the ability to engage in more spontaneous and exciting activities with the kids. Growing up, the quality time I spent with my mom usually involved productive, mandatory activities, such as going to the doctor or being shuttled back and forth to athletic events. My father, however, was able to spend his free time on weekends engaging in more adventurous activities with my brother and me without having to worry about adhering to any schedules or monotonous weekly routines. The mother puts the most effort into rearing the children, but the father gets to reap the benefits by spending limited, yet fun, time with them.