Episode 13: How Social Media Storytelling Has Changed Our Understanding Of Motherhood, Childhood & What Makes A Good Life with Kathryn Jezer-Morton
Feb 19, 2024
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Sociologist Kathryn Jezer-Morton discusses how social media affects motherhood and childhood perceptions. They explore the desire to control children's memories, imitating influencers, and the impact on personal and children's lives. Also, topics like Reservation Dogs, teen doodles, and parenting advice from Dr. Becky are touched upon.
Parents curate 'core memories' on social media to depict ideal childhoods, impacting children's perceptions.
Social media shapes parental storytelling, urging authenticity while influencing personal branding and intergenerational values.
Online narratives blur authenticity in parenting, posing challenges in balancing digital storytelling with genuine family experiences.
Deep dives
Impact of Time Away on Personal Freedom
Choosing to take time away from daily responsibilities can provide a profound sense of personal freedom and self-discovery. The podcast highlights the importance of stepping back from routine obligations to reconnect with one's individual needs and desires. By spending time alone or with a partner away from the usual demands of family life, individuals can rediscover a sense of autonomy and joy in simple moments, such as reading by the pool or wandering aimlessly without a predefined agenda.
Cultural Shifts in Parenting Discourse
The podcast explores the evolving landscape of parenting influenced by social media and personal branding. It delves into the concept of 'core memories,' where parents curate and share idealized moments to portray a narrative of happy childhoods. The discussion delves into how social media platforms shape parental storytelling, emphasizing the need for authenticity amidst performative online representations. Additionally, it probes the dynamic between personal branding, parenting, and the intergenerational transmission of values and behaviors.
Challenges in Navigating online portrayal and Reality
Reflecting on the intersection of personal storytelling and social media, the podcast raises questions about the authenticity of online narratives and the pressures of curating a consistent personal brand. It examines the implications of parental online presence on children's behavior and self-perception, highlighting the tension between presenting an idealized family life and the messy realities of everyday experiences. The conversation navigates the historical progression of performative parenting and challenges individuals face in balancing digital storytelling with genuine family interactions.
Impact of Social Media on Parenting
The podcast delves into the influence of social media on parenting styles and the pressures associated with documenting every moment. It highlights the shift towards creating a narrative framework of life through constant social media sharing, leading to comparisons and self-doubt. The discussion emphasizes the validation sought through documenting experiences and the pressure it places, especially on children, to capture and curate memories.
Influence of Media on Self-Perception and Identity
The episode explores how social media and influencer culture shape individuals' self-worth and perceptions, particularly in motherhood. It touches upon the impact of consuming content that idealizes certain lifestyles, leading to comparisons and self-criticism. The podcast discusses the complexity of navigating personal identity amidst societal pressures and the struggle to balance real-life experiences with curated online personas.
Sociologist and writer Kathryn Jezer-Mortonjoins Sarah and Miranda to talk about the intersection of motherhood and what she calls “technological storytelling,” or, the way we construct our identities in the age of social media. We talk about her recent piece on the “core memories” trend as a microcosm of our desire to control our kids’ perception of childhood, why we imitate the visual language of influencers and brands in our personal content, and if doing so influences the way we understand the meaning of our lives and our children's lives. Also discussed: Reservation Dogs, what happens when teens doodle, and whether or not Michel Foucault would have a special interest in the parenting advice of Dr. Becky.
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