Smiles and Sacrifices: The Modern Motherhood Performance
Why are women punished for being honest about motherhood?
When Chappell Roan said her friends with kids are “in hell,” the backlash wasn’t about the words but about breaking the performance. In this episode of Scenic Route, sociologist and coach Jennifer Walter unpacks the emotional labour, mental load, and societal expectations that define modern motherhood.
Why do we praise men like Seth Rogen for opting out of parenthood while vilifying women who name the cost of caregiving? Why do tradwife aesthetics trend while actual support for mothers disappears?
This episode explores:
- The mental load and invisible labour that mothers carry
- Why motherhood is a performance, not just an experience
- The backlash against Chappell Roan and what it reveals
- Adrienne Rich on motherhood as institution vs. experience
- Erving Goffman’s theory of social roles and the "good mother" mask
- The rise of the trad wife movement and its political implications
- Why unpaid care work is central to the global economy—and still invisible
- The cost of honesty in a culture built on maternal silence
🎧 With insights on:
- Call Her Daddy and Chappell Roan's viral statement
- The cultural double standard around parenting and gender
- How systems maintain control through emotional suppression
Join us on the Scenic Route.
New episode drops Tuesday.
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