Do You Think The Idea of Motherhood Has Changed Compared To What It Was 50 To 60 Years?

Question

MOTHERHOOD

Answer 1

Motherhood still means the same now as it did then (women giving birth to children) so in that respects, it hasn't changed.

What has changed are the perspectives of the value of the role of mothers (its work equal to that of a man's) and a change in the tasks that are/can be expected of mothers.

Its not unusual now for men to be stay-at-home dads and for women to be the workers, so that even though they are still 'mothers' the children can hear stories about their grandparents and great-grandparents (or see them when they visit) and notice how 'mommie' isn't like that, for good or bad.

Also, the ideas of Motherhood rest as much within each individual as it does as a 'concept'. Thus, someone who prefers a 'traditional' Motherhood role (stay at home, cook, clean, suzi-homemaker) can feel like the idea is 'lost' rather than the fact that its not the only option on the shelf.

This doesn't mean it is, especially if they marry someone who has many of the same ideas as they do, and thus raise a family according to them, but it can appear to be in the 'minority'.

I think the biggest change is the realization that Suzi Homemaker doesn't HAVE to stay at home if she doesn't want to (but she doesn't have to be a corporate tiger either.)

Answer 2

It has and it hasn't. It takes a special women to be a mother. oh, sure you can give birth to a child but that doesn't make you a mother. A true mother is unlike anything else in the world and no one will love you like she does. That part of motherhood hasn't changed. Having said that, the role of a mother 50 or 60 years ago was a little different. You were more likely to see your mom at home baking cookies or doing laundry or cleaning an already spotless kitchen. Moms back then didn't work if they could help it. Today however is a different story but a true mother is still the same. A true mom will read you a bedtime story and kiss your booboo. A true mom will always be at your soccer games and ballet recitals and cheer you up when your feeling blue. Moms are the greatest thing in the world. A true mom that is.

Answer 3

You can't really say the "Idea" has changed. Times change and with that so do traditions and ways of parenting. 50 years ago you could beat your child with a belt and call it discipline now it's called abuse. And the mothers of today are no younger than the mothers of 50 years ago. But I guess your reference is to Motherhood. All of my friends have kids and had them young. All of them are great kids, they do well in school and I guess are what would be considered "normal" whatever that means. Of course when they were conceiving these children I highly doubt that at the age of 17 these girls were thinking about motherhood. But that's doesn't mean that it's not about motherhood once the child is born.

Answer 4

The idea of motherhood rightfrom pre-nat. care to when that child moves out on his/her own has changed! The most notable differences are family unity and discipline.Family unity is history.The support network once had by90% of mothers 55 years ago is prevelent in about 14.5%of mothers today.And that is on a good day.The respect that the term mother had before the "time-out" has changed amungst thier offspring also.No data needed for you here.Just watch the way children act next timeyour at a store.

Answer 5

Absolutely. And so has Fatherhood.

The idea of having babies and raising a family has not changed. But the manner in which the kids are raised has.

Contributing factors: microwave cooking and fast food, both parents working, daycare, high volume of afterschool and weekend activities, TV (most homes didn't have one 60 years ago), same sex couples raising kids, single parents, disposable diapers, car seats and other safety equipment, pediatric medicinal advances, different toys (including computer/internet/playstation), and all sorts of societal changes.

Answer 6

Some friends and I were just talking about this exact subject last night. It is definetly different. There are so many new and helpful items for mother's today verses years ago. Yes it changed for sure!

Answer 7

Absolutely. Fifty years ago, motherhood was a woman's crowning achievement and major life goal. Now it's become optional and even unnecessary. Personally, I wouldn't become a mother for good money. That's the last label I want to wear. ("Wife" is second-last.)

Answer 8

No, moms still do the same mothering, just have a job outside the same too. If anythings changed its fatherhood.

Answer 9

Definitely.
Back then, women seemed to be strictly mothers when they had kids; they'd forget about their careers. But now, women seem to do both at the same time.

Answer 10

Definately, moms now a days want other people to raise their kids, and even if they don't they have to cause they have to work. 50-60 years ago that was just unheard of♥