By Lisa Wilmore
The challenges of motherhood have changed over the years, but one ingredient is essential through all generations: motherly love.
Mothers of the past (early 20th century) mothers faced different challenges than mothers of today (21st century), but they share a common denominator-that is to rear children to be good and successful citizens in this pluralistic society.
Comparing the motherhood models one may conclude that a paradigm shift in our society caused a different view of the 21st-century mothers from the early 20th century mothers. Because of societal, financial, and political reasons, every group or cohort of mothers will experience unique struggles.
For example, mothers in the early 20th century, whether married or single, were responsible for managing so many jobs with little or no return for their time. According to some older women, during this time, they were primarily responsible for teaching young girls the ways of motherhood while providing a home environment that was safe and secure. Everything that had to do with the home, these women were responsible for providing it.
The 20th-century women were responsible for providing hot meals at the proper times and completing household chores before the father returned from work. To name a few additional chores, these mothers milked cows, gathered eggs, planted gardens, made clothes for their children, washed and ironed these items for school and church, etc. Many of these chores were done with little or no monetary gain or gratitude. Nevertheless, they sacrificed their time and effort to ensure the well-being of their children and families.
Interestingly, a shift from solely providing care for the children while managing the home, 21st-century mothers have become more versatile or resourceful in the workplace. Although it was not common for women to obtain professional jobs in the 20th century, today, some women have become highly competitive professionals with desires to move up the corporate ladder of success.
It is evident that times have changed from mothers who were solely responsible for the homes to mothers who leave the home to enter into the workplace, ultimately, to provide for the family. Of course, during the 20th century, fathers provided the main source of income. However, 21st-century mothers have not only taken care of the children and the home but have become the main source of the family finances and moral support.
Today, mothers are more independent and career-oriented. Sometimes, at the expense of “sitting around the dinner table”, mothers are sitting in classrooms or virtually pursuing degrees for reasons such as to enhance lifestyles, job security, financial gains, or to help pay for their child’s college education among other reasons.
Today’s society has made it easier for mothers to feed their children through quick remedies such as microwave meals, meals on the go, and/or “pickups” from fast-food restaurants. This “microwave” shift has its advantage and disadvantage. The advantage is that the children receive a meal; however, the disadvantage is that 21st-century mothers may not be able to sit around the dinner table with the children, which fosters fellowship time with each other.
Even though the mother’s role has evolved throughout the years, their love is constant and remains endless.
Past and present mothers have proven to do what is necessary for their family’s survival. There are pluses and minuses for both cohorts of mothers as it relates to time at home and in the workplace.
However, no one can misjudge the love of mothers and what they are willing to do to ensure that their child(ren) have the necessities to be a success.
