MOTHERS & MORE ON LOOKOUT FOR STEREOTYPES OF MOTHERS
Annual Mother’s Day Campaign challenges media portrayals

March 10, 2004 – Mothers & More, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers, invites the American public to join in the organization’s “Media Reality Check,” a collective media watch to identify unrealistic, counterproductive stereotypes of mothers.

The Media Reality Check is part of Mothers & More’s nationwide Mother’s Day Campaign: Mothers – The Real Story. The campaign’s goals are to encourage mothers to talk with each other about their real life experiences as mothers and to spotlight the ways in which the media shapes images of mothers that do not match their experiences. Those images are often captured as one of the Seven Deadly Stereotypes: Bon Bon Eating Mom, Career Crazed Mom, SuperMom, 24/7 Bliss Mom, Martyr Mom, Glam Mom and Domestic Goddess Mom.

“Taken together, the media holds up an idealized version of mothers that no real person can hope to reach,” says Kristin Maschka, President of Mothers & More. “We can laugh at them, but we also internalize the messages. Good or bad, intentional or not, the media shapes public opinion, and our opinions of our lives and ourselves - without us even noticing the extent of the influence.”

As part of its campaign, Mothers & More is holding events across the country to allow mothers to be real with each other about their role as mothers and to call attention to the stereotypes. Some chapters will hold topical discussions, some will host a movie night to critique the portrayal of mothers by Hollywood, and some will feature library displays or special events.

There will be online discussions with authors of noted books on the subject including Susan Douglas of The Mommy Myth, Faulkner Fox of Dispatches of a Not So Perfect Life, and Andi Buchanan of Mother Shock. The group is also offering special campaign t-shirts for sale and free downloadable Mother’s Day cards, providing some light-hearted ways to call attention to a serious topic.

“These stereotypes make us hesitate to talk with each other about our real experiences as mothers because each of us worries that we don’t measure up to the version of mom everyone seems to expect,” says Maschka. “They keep us focused on our own perceived personal shortcomings, which means we ourselves are often blind to – and allow society to ignore - shortcomings in the world around us. Shortcomings that make it nearly impossible for mothers – or anyone who cares for others – to meet their own needs and the needs of their families - financially, emotionally and physically.”

Mothers & More is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. With over 180 chapters across the nation, the organization addresses mothers’ needs as individuals and members of society, and promotes the value of all the work mothers do. For more information on the Mother’s Day Campaign or to learn more about Mothers & More, log onto the website at www.mothersandmore.org

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