Advocating for Change: Recognising Motherhood and Role Confusion
At Mum Love, we are committed to advocating for the recognition of both matrescence and role confusion in motherhood. While we are working separately, we share a common mission with Peanut and Tommee Tippee: to reshape how society understands the complexities of motherhood.
Why This Campaign Matters
Our recent YouGov survey revealed critical insights into the experiences of postpartum mothers:
74% of mothers experience role confusion after giving birth.
55% report some form of identity loss.
1 in 7 mothers noted that feelings of identity confusion began during pregnancy.
These statistics highlight the significant pressures mothers face as they navigate their new roles as caregivers while trying to maintain their identities as individuals, professionals, and partners. When experiences like matrescence remain unnamed, it can lead to feelings of isolation and confusion.
A Shared Mission
By advocating for the recognition of matrescence and role confusion, we aim to support and validate the experiences of mothers everywhere. Our goal is to create spaces where mothers can openly discuss their challenges and triumphs, ensuring they know they are not alone in their journey.
This campaign is about more than just terminology; it's about fostering a cultural shift that acknowledges and celebrates the complexities of motherhood. Though we are operating independently, we are all working towards the same mission: empowering mothers to embrace their transformations and find the support they deserve.
Peanut's Campaign to Recognise Matrescence
Peanut, the world’s largest community app for mums, has launched a pivotal campaign advocating for the recognition of matrescence. Here’s an overview of their efforts:
Full-Page Ad in the New York Times: Peanut kicked off their campaign with a striking ad calling on dictionary publishers, especially Merriam-Webster, to officially recognise matrescence and stop classifying it as a misspelling.
Cultural Awareness: The campaign aims to highlight the cultural gap that has left many mothers without the language to describe their transformative experiences.
Public Petition: Peanut has initiated a petition seeking formal recognition of matrescence, inviting community support to drive this linguistic change.
Michelle Battersby, President of Peanut, emphasises that many women feel isolated during their maternal journey due to a lack of language. The campaign aims to change this narrative.
Together, through our platforms, we can advocate for this important narrative and redefine motherhood. Let’s continue to empower mothers and celebrate their journeys! Mum Love is fully supportive of this campaign, and if it means every mum is aware, we are getting there with our mission. We aim to decrease anxiety and the sense of feeling lost, and understanding what mums go through is the first step.