The Mommy Myth
The Idealization of Motherhood and How It Has Undermined Women
Chapter One
Revolt Against the MRS
Imagine it's Mother's Day, and you are being
taken out to one of those god-awful brunches
where you and hundreds of other mothers will be
force-fed runny scrambled eggs and flaccid
croissants by way of thanking you for the other
364 days, when instead of the brunch you get
"Mom, you shrank my sweater in the dryer and I
need a new one by tomorrow," or "All the other
mothers will be at the hockey banquet," or,
simply enough, "I hate you. You never listen to
me! I wish you weren't my mother!" As you walk
toward the restaurant, you notice broadsides
posted on the telephone poles all over town.
They begin, "Today, one day of the year, America
is celebrating Motherhood, in
home ... church ... restaurant ... candy shop ... flower
store." Obvious enough. But then the tone
changes. "The other 364 days she preserves the
apple pie of family life and togetherness, and
protects the sanctity of the male ego and
profit. She lives through her husband and
children." No ... read full excerpt from: The Mommy Myth: The Idealization of Motherhood and How It Has Undermined Women ebook
