Honest as a Mother How the Pandemic has Taken a Toll on Mothers with Andrea O'Reilly
Mar 22, 2021
Andrea O'Reilly, a renowned Professor in Gender Studies and founder of the Motherhood Initiative for Research, dives deep into the pandemic's toll on mothers. She discusses how moms have become frontline workers, juggling teaching, cooking, and cleaning while often sidelining their careers. The conversation explores emotional labor's heavy burden on mothers and highlights how traditional roles have been disrupted. O'Reilly advocates for community support and the recognition of mothers' contributions, emphasizing the need for greater equity and solidarity among women.
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Mothers as Frontline Workers
- Mothers have been frontline workers during the pandemic, bearing the brunt of stay-at-home orders with no recognition.
- Their work is invisible yet essential, combining household management, childcare, and emotional labor without public thanks.
Mothering as Skilled Mental Labor
- Mothering is highly skilled, gendered labor involving both physical tasks and mental planning termed "maternal thinking."
- This cognitive load includes constant worrying, anticipating, and managing family needs invisibly and exhaustively.
Stay-at-Home Dad vs. Mother Work
- Andrea interviewed a stay-at-home dad who struggled to answer basic questions about his child, showing he didn't do the mental labor.
- Despite physical presence, the mother's emotional and logistical care remained the unseen driving force.