Sampling of Comments

A large number of our survey takers shared their thoughts in addition to answering our multiple choice questions. Nearly half filled out the two comment sections of the survey. Not surprisingly, the comments mirrored the way survey takers weighed in on the Dr. Phil Show episode, Mom vs. Mom, Part II, bad or good. But there was an additional common thread running through many comments, as well.

Here’s a sampling:

One group thought the episode was good overall.

"I thought that the show did a good job of showing that mothers share a common bond no matter what their choice."

"I think mothers should be thankful that Dr. Phil has shed some light on this issue. It is an interesting and controversial topic and Dr. Phil is not afraid of addressing the topic."

"I think Dr. Phil should be applauded... His intentions were noble and his attitude positive. (It was the guests that were often out of line)."

"I think the producers found some outspoken, rude moms on both sides of ‘the issue,’ and they looked ignorant and intolerant. Perhaps the Dr. Phil Show used them to make a POSITIVE point that we need to stick together."

"I applaud Dr. Phil’s Show for bringing some polar feelings to light and trying to ameliorate the childish tension between the two groups."

Another group felt the episode was just plain bad.

"Once again, Dr. Phil pitted angry women against each other in a quest for ratings! This show did nothing for the advancement of mothers... It was an embarrassment to watch and I feel nothing constructive came out of it."

"I think the show’s title alone makes it a disaster for moms. Mom vs. Mom?"

"I can’t believe the show physically seated women on opposing sides as if they were partaking in a boxing match!... I am usually a big Dr. Phil fan, but that show was totally unproductive."

"Dr. Phil didn’t just ‘happen’ upon this battle ground... the show created the contentious situation so Dr. Phil and his wise spouse could come in and be the voices of reason."

"I was disgusted by this show....Dr. Phil ignored and glossed over all comments that were made by women expressing empathy for the other’s point of view but went for the jugular when someone attacked the other ‘camp.’"

When asked how mothers should respond to the show, this was the original idea that ran through many of the comments (it was not one of the choices for action offered in our multiple choice question about how to respond).

"I think a letter from (Mothers & More) asking for (Dr. Phil’s) help in not fueling these divides would be appropriate."

"I think we should write to the Dr. Phil Show and suggest another show... The show could be about how our culture works against motherhood/fatherhood, as Dr. Phil briefly alluded to."

"We should push them to take the next step and have a show on ‘the war between all mothers and the society we live in’ that was noted by one of the guests."

"Send an email petition with specific ideas about an INTELLIGENT format for a follow-up show that shows the subtleties and multiple work/life options that exist."

"I would respond by sending Dr. Phil an email saying that if they plan to continue this series, it needs to be focused on these ideas - how society needs to change in order to accommodate working mothers, and how we need to respect one another’s point of view and take the job of SAHMs seriously, acknowledge that they do make an important contribution to society just as women who work outside the home do."

"The show should have taken on a more sophisticated topic, such as why our society expects women to make these choices, then judges them after."

"When is a talk show going to tackle the REAL issues instead of blaming mom, as usual?"

"The comment regarding that it’s not about stay at home vs. working moms, it’s about motherhood vs. our culture I TOTALLY agree with! Let’s work together to change the perception that it’s an either/or situation."

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