Soccer Mom perceptions?

Question

How do you define a soccer mom?

Does the term have a positive or negative connotation?

Do you think it's a fair stereotype?

Answer 1

In North American social, cultural and political discourse, soccer mom (and less used soccer dad for the male equivalent) refers broadly to a demographic group of women with school-age children. In general, the term "soccer mom" refers to the concept of American post-feminist motherhood as an amalgam of traditional domestic values with modern feminism (1960s-1980s), and is associated with modern material conveniences such as the SUV and cell phone. The archetypical soccer mom is upper or upper middle class, educated, suburban or exurban, and white.

The "soccer mom" typically indicates a single income family, where the husband works while the wife is a homemaker. Since the 1980s, two incomes are widely considered to be "requirement" of the typical working class family in the U.S., and in this context single incomes symbolize both affluence and a disconnect from the working and lower middle classes.

The term can carry pejorative connotations, where the soccer mom may denote a woman who is aloof and has little responsibility or occupation, other than providing basic transportation for her children. In feminist circles, the soccer mom may refer to a woman who has given up on a promising and successful career, particularly after having some early aspirations and achievements. In this context this may carry the meaning of someone of diminished individual character.

However, the word is not entirely negative, those described as soccer moms sometimes take pride in the term as affirmation that they are dedicated to providing attention, recreation and positive social contact for their children.

I have some friends who can be considered 'soccer moms,' and I find no negative connotation in that whatsoever. Quite to the contrary, actually. I think they're all responsible, caring moms who are trying to balance many things at once and doing the best they can for their families. I admire them a great deal, and even think they're sexy! My mom was a soccer mom before there were soccer moms to speak of :-)

______________________

Answer 2

Well....
K so a soccer mom, other than the obvious, is probably defined as some one who is wrapped up in their children's lives. Many times a Housewife and someone who is very active and very supportive of their children's pursuits, but maybe not as up to date with whats going on with the rest of the world. I think wether it is positive or negative depends on the person using the term, there are people of course who look down on us and then there are people who think we're doing the right thing. As for a fair stereotype...there's no such thing.

Answer 3

A soccer mom is a huge SUV-driving mom who always has a ton of kids in the back, and can't drive, only partially b/c she is on her cell phone.
Negative for sure.
I don't think it's fair but I see very few examples to contradict it.

Answer 4

Disclaimer: I do not hate soccer moms. This is merely my definition of the term.

Mother who doesn't work.
Drives a mini-van.
Perhaps is spending too much time on the cell phone while driving - or more likely is being distracted by the kids, so that she doesn't pay attention to her driving skills.

That's about it for me.

Answer 5

it can go both ways. One is you do everything about for to the kids that turns them into a spoiled brat. and the second is positive, that you take care of your childs needs before you or spouses as the way it should be and that you have a loving enough home that other parents don't mind bringing there kids over and stay with you guys without fear of anything happing to there child, the safe feeling

Answer 6

Most soccer moms in my area are rude SUV-driving conservative right wing Christian morons. That is why I don't date them.

Answer 7

i guess i would define it as a mother that is so busy with after school activities that she really has no time 4 herself... i think its a good thing. sure its fair... and if people think that actually caring about their children and making sure that they have a good childhood is a bad thing or (negative thing) is crazy...

Answer 8

one (man or woman), who drives a mini-van full of children to and from practice. yes its a fair stereo-type. i dont see where there is any negativity in the "name".