The Illusion of Perfect Mothering: How Society's Expectations Affect Women

This research seeks to investigate the societal stigmas and misconceptions of ideal motherhood, aka “intensive mothering,” the repercussions associated, and the support systems both in place or missing. In addition, it seeks to contribute to fostering a healthier societal perception of motherhood. Methods include a literature review of existing research, case studies and analyses of other artists’ contemporary work in the field, and a visual solution in the form of an art exhibition. This research found that intensive mothering is a pervasive idea, ingrained in current society and detrimental to mothers’ mental health and well-being. Through the research and visual solution, it is shown that mothers are not alone in the struggles they go through, even across disparate mothering vocations such as working mothers, stay-at-home mothers, and student mothers, and that bringing together these various groups is essential to foster a healthier societal perception of motherhood and support systems for women.