Stereotypes And Misconceptions In Elaine Heffner's The Good Enough Mother

Before I begin my essay, I would like to state what I know to be true, in order to dispel the multiple lies and misconceptions contained in Betty Rollin’s “Motherhood: Who needs It?” I wish I knew the names of the sick individuals who decided to put this book in the curriculum, and the names of those who have supported this, because then I could tell them what I am about to tell you. Just as the magazine that contained Rollin’s essay was immediately defunct, (it ceased publication a year after Betty Rollin’s article was published) so should be “The Norton Reader”. I don’t need to read Betty Rollin’s

It's common knowledge that a mother is a woman that gives birth to a child. This has always been so. The role of a mother, however, has not always been the same. A mother’s life and responsibilities can alter through the times. Since The Help takes place in 1960’s Jackson, Mississippi, the mothers either stay home and do a little housework or they go to gatherings with other women from town.

(155). In today’s society, these gender roles are quickly fading away, although there are still some mothers that insist on staying home with her children because they fear the thought of somebody else raising her kids, and missing out on the big milestones of a child’s life. What most of these women may not realize is that they still will be around for these milestones, such as the child’s first words, or them crawling, then walking, because having a job does not consume every minute of the day. They will still be able to spend their time before or after work with their child, in which many of the special moments will take place. There are thousands of single mothers around the world that are forced to raise their child on their own, which means that they must leave their child in the care of someone else, and get a job almost immediately after their child is born in order to earn enough money to support her little family.

In a world full of uncertainties, there is one person everyone on this Earth dead or alive has or had, and that is a mother. What is a mother? The dictionary definition of a mother as a noun is a woman in relation to her child or children, but as a verb means bring up (a child) with care and affection. While there is no cookie cutter definition of a mother, women still continuously conform to the societal pressure placed upon them. Societal viewpoint is that the title of mother is a one size fits all category, meaning the roles of every mother must be the same since their “job title” is. A mother either gives her all to her children or she is neglectful and a selfish parent. Mothers get lumped into categories which often dehumanizes them. Because

Unplanned pregnancies have been a taboo trend all throughout history, no matter what background, culture, or class. The mother, in almost every case, is criticized by her friends, family, and peers and it is difficult to find the support she needs. Often times the mother is deemed an outcast and impure and must deal with various accusations and insults. In this kind of situation, the most important thing is to have support both emotionally and financially. This is where class is an important factor because each has its own expectations and values such as reputation and personal success.

Rollins does not agree with this and argues that the “Motherhood Myth” is to blame for this. The “Motherhood Myth” is “the idea that having babies is something that all normal women instinctively want and need and will enjoy doing” (Rollin 286). Rolland generally wants people to agree with her about how she feels about motherhood. To do this she tries to make herself appear more trustworthy or reliable to her audience.

According to the research, individuals who were voluntarily childless were often seen as less socially desirable, less adjusted to life, and even less nurturant. In addition, they were also seen to be more paternalistic, selfish, individualistic, and career oriented more so than those individuals who chose to have children (p. 24). Although stereotypes can often be present for the childless, other research could argue otherwise. In a 1983 study, research indicated that undergraduate students who were childless were often never stereotyped, and those women who were intentionally childless were evaluated slightly less positive than a happy pregnant women. This is potentially due to the fact that individuals in college are often seen as trying to get ahead in life, and having a child during this time might not be the best idea for a person or a

Without balance in life the scales can tip and a child may not develop in a healthy manner. Some parents can never be classified as “good” simply because they let their problems or outside issues obstruct care for their

Best of the Worst Parenting is never perfect. Every parents questions whether they are raising their child correctly, and no parent ever feels like they are doing the right thing. With no clear distinction between good and bad parenting, it is usually left to personal preferences and judgements to decide which parents have adequately raised their children and which have failed. When a parent so call “fails,” often it is the children with their strong will and determination to survive that collectively raise themselves. In Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing, Leonie, one of the narrators and the mother of another narrator, Jojo, is not the most caring, hands-on mother, but is loving of her children nevertheless.

A single parent have to take all the responsibility to raise children. They have to work hard in order to get enough money for the whole family. It is truly stressful for these families. The kind of family type is unstable as a result of divorce of coupled parents and the death of parents. The women who get pregnant by accident can also become single parents.

Everyone knows the aphorism “Mama knows best,” but even a parent can be misguided. A parent’s behavior notably influences their children. In the short story “The Lie” by Kurt Vonnegut, the author scrutinizes the behavior of parents. A parents’ mission is to give their children opportunities to progress and develop, to show them that they need to amend mistakes, and to place them on the righteous path.

Additionally, it is said, women's freedom and life choices are limited by having children, social customs, and the stereotypes, and the overwhelming duties that go with it. In conclusion for any and all pregnant women let them be free to make their own

What Lies Beneath The underlying heartbeat of this book is, as my heroine Margaret Sanger, said: “No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.” Well said, Maggie. And, of course, that same sentiment applies to men and fatherhood as well.

Within that lunch box of advice there is bound to be things said that implement a moral code shared between a mother and child. Specifically on how to interact with people. Prejudices towards

The only woman in the world who will still cradle you in her arms even if you've stabbed her loving heart is your mother. The short story “Teenage Wasteland” by Anne Tyler is about guilt and reveals mother’s feelings towards her children. A loving mother will feel guilty for anything that happens to her children, and even for that how they feel. Mothers is the person who cares the most about her child. The story “Teenage Wasteland” tells about a common situation many families experience: a misunderstood child creates problems to his parents, not by fault, but because he feels unwanted.