The construct of motherhood

"In motherhood, different demands shaped by social constructs come into play. It is not only the demands of the baby, but also those of the husband, the wider family, and society itself. These pressures can lead mothers to feel that they ‘stop being themselves to exist for others’, setting aside the possibility of attending to their own interests and desires, while trying to maintain a sense of their own identity.”

The experience of motherhood is a complex process, built day by day, and not something that simply arises from having a child. Interests, values and priorities are reorganised, while new sensitivities, fears and desires emerge, making motherhood an ongoing and constantly evolving process.

Within motherhood, various demands shaped by social expectations come into play. It is not only the needs of the baby, but also the expectations of the husband, the family and society, which can generate in mothers the feeling of “ceasing to be themselves to become available to others”. This often leaves little room for their own interests and desires, affecting the stability of their sense of self.

Giving birth is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life and has an impact on every aspect of it, from self-perception and social role to interpersonal relationships. The first months after childbirth can be particularly challenging for parents, often leading to heightened levels of stress, depression and anxiety.

These changes shape the experience of motherhood. From a psychological perspective, motherhood involves a struggle to reaffirm the mother’s identity. One of the central aspects of motherhood is the revisiting of one’s own history. During the postpartum period, mothers often rework family histories, repeating patterns and models inherited from their family of origin and reflected in current relationships, which can contribute to a sense of vulnerability during motherhood.

Author: Ana Charles