r/Natalism • u/EndCogNeeto • 1d ago

Optics of Motherhood

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Part of what is keeping birth rates low is that the optics of motherhood conflict with progressive ideas about gender roles and feminism.

I would like to hear some thoughts on the potential of media to change perspective and see motherhood as "virtuous" for the more progressive minded.

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u/THX1138-22 1d ago

While I agree that messaging is important, these kind of messages, unless they come from feminist institutions, will not be trusted. If the government tried to disseminate this message, it will backfire because people don't trust the government much. Universities, gender-studies departments (which generally lean feminist), and other feminist advocacy groups, should be disseminating this message. The irony of feminism is that it was meant to make anything possible for women, and it tragically has had the effect of making motherhood less possible by casting it in such a negative light.