Taking readers on a provocative tour through thirty years of media images about mothers — the superficial achievements of celebrity moms, the sensational coverage of dangerous day care, the media-manufactured “mommy wars” between working mothers and stay-at-home moms, and more — The Mommy Myth contends that this “new momism” has been shaped by out-of-date mores, and that no matter how hard they try, women will never achieve it. In this must-read for every woman, S… More >>
The Mommy Myth: The Idealization of Motherhood and How It Has Undermined All Women
Anyone who concludes that to be a good mother one must get a “real” job and dump their children in the hands of strangers is, in my opinion, immoral. If your children are in school/daycare all day, you are at work, and then when they come home you don’t have much time for them (just “quality time,” making children fit into YOUR schedule when kids don’t understand such things and NEED a mommy)….*WHY oh why did you even HAVE children?!*
Rating: 1 / 5
Anyone who owns this book should also own “7 Myths of Working Mothers: Why Children and Most Careers Just Don’t Mix.” “The Mommy Myth” perpetuates the ideal that an acceptable “alternative” way to mother is to ship your kids off to daycare or a nanny so someone else can raise them. That shows so much love. After all, our society and the media has accepted it. Every mom who actually raises her kids knows that it sucks the intelligence right out of you. I thought it was really cute to say that nearly half of the male population is not available for marriage/family because they are either gay or destroying brain cells by snorting wasabi because they saw it on “Jackass.” If that is not man-hating, I don’t know what is.
Rating: 1 / 5
This book opens promisingly and teases the reader with truthful and biting portrayals of the media, and an indictment of the vicissitudes of the false model of suburban motherhood that so many parents across the world feel in their hearts and minds as they try to raise children in this world. Sadly, though, the book veers far, far to the left of center as it charges, tries, and convicts Republicans, conservatives, corporations, the capitalist system and by insinuation the entire country for not subscribing to the pan-European nanny state. Occasionally the book draws an odd picture of the Carter and Clinton Administrations as four and eight year oases of parenting utopia, seeming to associate those presidents with all things good and right with the world as it relates to the empowerment of mothers.
I don’t harbor anger towards this book’s thinly veiled liberal political treatises; I’m simply disappointed that its primary thrust is to read like an campaign instruction model for a John Kerry idiot savant.
Rating: 2 / 5
I plan to not have children, don’t want them. This book convinced me of that wholeheartedly. Why live your life through children when you can live your life by contributing in real ways to the world. I would rather help out those children who are less fortunate than breed my own spoiled brats. Motherhood is a club that I do not want any part of.
Rating: 5 / 5
I am horrified that anyone would read this and believe in the alternative “ideals” put forth by Douglas and Michaels. I am appalled that anyone would say something to their children as violent as “Get your butts in here this instant or I’ll murder you immediately,” (as is quoted in the beginning of the book).
The book is filled with examples of inappropriate language toward children, violent punishment, and constant put-downs of gentle discipline and research-supported parenting methods — what the authors treat as too “fluffy” for “mothers with attitudes.”
I feel deeply disturbed that another mother would condemn me — and other mothers like me — for finding fulfillment in being a mother. I believe in babywearing, cosleeping, and breastfeeding exclusively. I believe in spending time with your kids and respecting them, so they learn respect and have a good deal of self-confidence. Unfortunately these ideals are only criticized by the authors.
Also, there seems to be an underlying message that mothers should listen to all of the consumerist media that’s thrown at them; if you feel bad looking through a magazine that advertises $500 baby clothes, then you shouldn’t look through them. Read a book instead… but not this one.
Rating: 1 / 5