Overcoming Societal Pressures on Becoming a Mother

We’ve all seen those scenes in movies and TV shows where the mother is pressuring her daughter to have children. Usually, the mother character will guilt her daughter by saying something like, “You’re not getting any younger you know,” or, “All I want is to be a grandmother. Why are you keeping that from me!” These scenes are always funny. Unless of course, you live these scenes in real life! And sadly, many women do live these scenes on a daily basis. If they’re not getting pressure from their mother about having kids they’re usually getting it from a sister or some of their female friends. But this pressure is far from helpful.

Not All Women are Cut Out for Motherhood

As a therapist, I have heard all kinds of stories about the relationship people have had with their mothers. Now granted, mothers are human beings, and even those that try their very best are going to make some mistakes. But I have heard more stories than I can count of mothers who seemed to not like being a mother very much at all. I have one client who has shared many heartbreaking stories of his childhood; of his mother who always seemed sad and angry. She was never really “into” playing with him or his two other siblings or spending much time with them. She always made my client feel like she gave up a wonderful life to have children and she regretted it every day. The truth is, not all women are cut out for motherhood. Some women have it in them and some don’t. There was a time when women didn’t really have a choice but to follow the traditional path and get married and have 2, 3, or more kids. But times have changed and women do have a say now about what kind of life they would like to live. Pressuring women to fit a specific mold and have children, just because society deems that the “right” life path is simply wrong. All that does is create families who become broken.

Speaking to Someone Can Help

Are you “of a certain age” and feeling pressured by friends and family to have children? Do you feel overwhelmed? It can really help to have someone in your corner that can help you decide what is right for you personally. A therapist can help you understand clearly what your needs are. He or she can then help you set up boundaries with others so that your needs are met. If you’d like to speak with someone, please get in touch with me.

Therapy for Women in Florida

If you’d like to schedule an appointment or get any of your questions answered, please call our office at 954-378-5381  and 561-223-1066 or send us an email at info@caringtherapistsofbroward.com. My name is Sarah Flavien, and I’m a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern. I am so pleased that you’ve decided to take the next step on your journey to healing, transformation, and improved wellbeing. It takes courage, vulnerability, and commitment to live a life worth living and it is my belief that you have all the strength and wisdom within you to make the change you’ve been seeking. I would be so humbled and honored to be part of your journey.  My style is warm, affirming, and supportive. It’s very important to me to create a safe and nurturing environment for you to feel comfortable and trust that you can go as deeply as you need to for your healing, without fear of judgment. I understand that no two individuals or life experiences are the same, and I tailor our sessions together to address your unique challenges. Learn more about Sarah Flavien: https://caringtherapistsofbroward.com/staff/sarah-flavien/     SOURCES:  

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/in-flux/201404/becoming-mother
• https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/april-salchert/the-social-pressure-of-experiencing-motherhood_b_1851544.html
• https://drregev.com/blog/the-myth-of-motherhood-the-way-unrealistic-social-expectations-of-mothers-shape-their-experience/