Motherhood and Identity: Why Parenting Is Political and What It Means for Moms episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 1, 2025 · 13 MIN

Motherhood and Identity: Why Parenting Is Political and What It Means for Moms

from Mama You Belong · host Kirsten Desmarais, DPT and Molly Hilgenberg, LICSW

Motherhood doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s deeply tied to politics, policies, and cultural expectations. In this episode, we explore why motherhood is political, how moms can find their voice, and why speaking up matters for ourselves and our communities. In this thought-provoking and timely episode, we briefly explore the intricate relationship between motherhood and the current socio-political landscape. We reflect on the internal conflicts faced by mothers as we care for our families amidst a world filled with distressing events. Emphasizing the importance of open dialogue, we challenge the tendency to overlook the emotional burdens we carry and the impact of societal issues on our well-being.We address the silence surrounding significant societal challenges and how it often stems from a lack of direct experience. We encourage mothers to acknowledge that privilege should not hinder our responsibility to speak up against injustice. And, acknowledge some of the reasons why staying silent may be easier for many. Through introspection, we highlight the need to find our voices and confront oppressive systems, reminding us that motherhood is inherently political. We conclude with a call to action: by embracing our power and resisting silence, we can drive meaningful change for ourselves and our communities.Here are some resources related to the content of this episode:Motherwhelmed by Beth Berry - a book addressing the overculture, mother role, and many deeply rooted things that can influence silence and/or action.Never called your reps before? This will make it SUPER easy 5 Calls app Chamber of Mothers - a non-partisan group focused on empowering moms in advocacy for paid leave, affordable childcare, and maternal health.Support the showKirsten's Physical Therapy websiteThe Nuture CollectiveMama You Belong InstagramKirsten's Instagram Molly's InstagramMolly’s music Sister Veery on bandcampMolly’s music website

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 1, 2025

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Motherhood doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s deeply tied to politics, policies, and cultural expectations. In this episode, we explore why motherhood is political, how moms can find their voice, and why speaking up matters for ourselves and our communities. In this thought-provoking and timely episode, we briefly explore the intricate relationship between motherhood and the current socio-political landscape. We reflect on the internal conflicts faced by mothers as we care for our families ...

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