Institution of Motherhood and Success Stories

Women's role has changed throughout history. Women have gained the right to vote, have fought for equality in the work place, and have fought for their gender. The Modern Feminist Movement formed to fight for equality in the political realm and in the work place. As the movement continued Women activist felt that their gender was the only dynamic shaping society. While some women were fighting for equality between genders, other women were fighting to sustain their traditional roles. Traditionalist Phyllis Schlafy argued for the traditional role of women. Schlafy believed that "women were most fulfilled through roles as housewives and mothers." Schlafy felt women's right attacked the institution of motherhood. The Feminist movement created many changes for women in the political realm and in the workplace. After these changes were implemented women felt their goals had been achieved and that they could return to their traditional role. The contemporary woman has many choices in her life but if she chooses to be a mother American society only sees one true choice. Adrienne Rich author Of Women Born speaks on the institution of motherhood and that it is an oppressive institution for the women involved. Rich continues to describe the institution of motherhood when she says, "Ideas about how mothers should mother, the socially-sanctioned ways in which mothers should interact with their children and spouses, have been developed and imposed over time by a male-dominated culture whose interests these ideas serve." The institution of motherhood teaches women how to mother and how these mothers should interact with their children. Motherhood has overtime been created to reflect the male culture thus removing the mother out of motherhood.


Adrienne Rich does not believe in the success of the institution of motherhood. Rich believes that motherhood is a designed role and that it only reflects the male culture. Rich believes that "the modern image of a good mother- is the full-time, stay-at-home mother, isolated in the private sphere and financially dependent on her husband." Adrienne Rich attacks the institution of motherhood but does not recognize that motherhood is a choice. The chapter Anger and Tenderness from Of Women Born discloses the intimate feelings of a mother forced into the institution of motherhood. Rich believes that women have children for it is what the women before them have done. I disagree. Women have a choice if they want a family or not. Also I disagree with Rich's view on motherhood. If a women becomes pregnant she can make the choice to be a Stay-at-home mom or a working mom. American society values the traditional sanction of staying at home and raising the children. Though society values the tradition it is not that women are forced into such a role.


Adrienne Rich believes that the modern image of a good mother is a stay at home mother. If a mother chooses to stay at home with her child, the mother does not have to isolate herself from the public sphere. There will be times when a mother is home alone with her child but it is the mothers job to orchestrate play dates and other social interactions. These social interactions are not only a positive experience for the child but also for the mother. Social gatherings provide a outlet for the mothers to have interaction with other humans at the adult level.


Finally Rich believes that a stay at home mom must be financially dependent on their husband. Rich, Mom's today are creative, inventive, and resourceful. Modern society has embraced the mom- entrepreneurs. Julie Clark, part time school teacher/full time mom, came up with the Baby Einstein DVD which grossed over $22 Million dollars. Her husband became the CEO of her company. In the Clark's situation the stay at home mom is not dependent on the husband financially. Other stay at home mom's such as J.K. Rowling did not even have a male figure in her daughters life when she began writing the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling used government support until she was able to stay at home with her daughter and be successful. There are many websites and resources out their for moms to use. Stay at home mom's do not have to be financially dependent on their husbands. If a mother wants to be dependent on her husband while she stays at home with the children it is her choice. She can take after many other women who are looking for supplemental income and can create homemade items to sell on Etsy. Etsy is revolutionizing the way society does business. Thus creating economic growth even in small economic ventures.


My information about Adrienne Rich came from a secondary source in the Introduction Section on the following website: 
https://blackboard.uncg.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_11_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_136143_1%26url%3D