Mother’s Day has turned into a commercial bonanza lauding the work of mothers. Instead of focusing on the chores mothers do, we need to emphasize the mothering experience and how it can bring about fundamental change.
In the Name of All Fathers
Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is fraught with ridiculous generalities and silly sentiments. Instead of being beholden to advertisers’ image of dad, perhaps it’s time to examine the history of fathers and what they have to offer.
Returning to the Roots of Mother’s Day
Before it became an ode to mothers, Mother’s Day was about promoting peace and social justice. As our world becomes increasingly difficult, perhaps it is time to return to its original meaning. By looking at what some mothers have done, we can be inspired.
Time is Not On Our Side Because We’re All “Mom Enough”
Doctors of all stripes (unfortunately, this most definitely includes psychologists) have blamed moms for everything, from causing schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, to chastising them for being ambitious (stage moms), being overprotective (helicopter moms), and emasculating male children (mama’s boys). Some moms even get blamed for the father’s addictions or abuse because they didn’t fight hard enough to stop it.