In modern society, motherhood is increasingly framed as a burden. Many women view this role as a goal for those who do not have any real ambition in life. Where this perspective used to exist primarily on the political Left, it is unfortunately a mindset for women who claim to espouse traditional values as well. Influencers across the political spectrum, from feminist content creators to those who generally promote conservative philosophies on their platform, perpetuate a narrative that belittles marriage, homemaking, and raising children.
This stands in stark contrast to past generations, where motherhood was often celebrated as a noble calling central to family and stability across society.
A feminist content creator by the name of Paige Connell frequently goes viral for her modern takes on marriage and family dynamics. In one video, she outlined the many basic tasks she refuses to do for her husband, framing such tasks as “slavery.” She has built her platform on equating motherhood and homemaking with missed employment opportunities and lost retirement funds, tallying their “monetary value” while dismissing their emotional and developmental significance. This mindset reduces family life to a profit-loss spreadsheet, where presence and sacrifice by being there for your children are devalued because no paycheck is involved.
Conservative women, while typically more family-oriented, are not immune to this cultural shift. A recent video from conservative content creator “Emily Saves America” went viral for mocking young women aspiring to be stay-at-home mothers, suggesting that baking sourdough for their husbands leaves them with “nothing else to offer.” This dismissive tone contradicts the traditional values, which, in the same video, she claims to uphold. However, it’s contradictory to say “I support traditional values” while making fun of young girls who want to do things for their husbands and telling them they’re selling themselves short if family life is their goal.
This demonstrates that even conservative women face pressure to prioritize economic contributions over domestic roles, reflecting a societal devaluation of motherhood.
The consequences of these attitudes are profound. The American Academy of Pediatrics noted that children with engaged parents exhibit lower anxiety, better academic outcomes, and greater resilience.
The question is this: When motherhood is framed as a burden across social media and children constantly hear that women do not want to be with them because no paycheck is earned, what effect will that have? Children could internalize the message that their presence is a liability, potentially contributing to rising mental health issues amongst youth.
In contrast, past generations often viewed motherhood as a sacred duty integral to societal well-being. During the post-Revolutionary era, the concept of “Republican Motherhood” elevated mothers as moral educators responsible for raising virtuous citizens, as historian Linda Kerber describes. This role carried significant weight, positioning women as equal partners in safeguarding society through their unparalleled influence in the home. Later, conservative values further reinforced motherhood as the heart of the family, a role that demanded sacrifice but offered immeasurable fulfillment and reward.
Senator Marsha Blackburn, in her book The Mind of a Conservative Woman, shares a similar view, as “Protecting the next generation, the family, and the freedom of faith and values” remains a core priority for women who truly understand traditional values. Unlike today’s transactional view, past generations saw motherhood as a long-term investment in family and community.
Some conservative commentators argue that the devaluation of motherhood stems from a modern obsession with the “boss babe” mindset and the focus on materialism. A 2019 New York Times article points to the absence of socially conservative women leading the charge for family values: “The American family needs defending and right now men are leading the charge.” This suggests a need for women to reclaim motherhood’s significance. The Institute for Family Studies reinforces this, noting that liberals, particularly women, report lower life satisfaction due to choices like delayed marriage and reduced family engagement, which often deprioritize motherhood.
Living in a world where everyone has an opinion and everyone is an “expert,” modern women are being pulled away from the pursuit of family by both liberal and conservative influencers. While liberal narratives frame motherhood as oppressive and conservative voices often undermine it through contradictory messaging, both contribute to a culture that devalues family life.
As women, we need to rethink how we view our roles and the value we bring. That doesn’t mean that we’re just here to have babies and make sandwiches. It means recognizing the significance of what we do and stopping downplaying our influence by performing the most minor acts of service, as well as the contribution we’re making to the world by investing in our kids.
Historical perspectives celebrated mothers as indispensable to societal stability, a view echoed by the current call — and need — to prioritize family. By recognizing the power of even the smallest gestures, women can restore the dignity of motherhood, fostering stronger families and healthier children in an era desperate for connection.
