Criticisms of the Stay-Home Mom
Meme #1 Explanation
In our culture, it is a common misconception that being a “stay at home mom” isn’t a real or significant job. The meme above depicts two moms having dialogue about their jobs. One mom is asking the other what her job is, and when the other mom responds with “I’m a stay home mom,” the first mom is confused. She then follows up by asking the other mom what her real job is, implying that being a full-time mom isn’t a real job. Many people are unaware of how demanding the task of being a mother is, and how it can consume your entire day, well above the normal 9am-5pm working hours. Full-time moms are often in charge of raising their children, driving them to school, taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, helping their children with homework, and taking them to sports practice or music lessons. However, in our society, women are often expected to do both; be a devoted mother and have a successful career. Although, if too much time is put towards their career instead of being a mom, the mother could be at risk of being labeled a “bad mother.” Even though society is responsible for the labeling of moms, moms themselves often judge other moms the hardest. We live in a highly competitive society where even mothers compete to see who can be the best mom. In the meme above, the first mother judges the second because she doesn’t have a job in addition to being a mother, therefore this makes her seem lesser. Being a stay home mom or traditional housewife, to some people, could imply that that person may be either lazy, uneducated, incapable of holding a job, or a “gold digger.” In short, this meme exemplifies the common misconception society has about mothers and how they must balance both holding a job and being a dedicated mother. It also touches upon the misbelief that being a full time mother isn’t a legitimate or demanding job.   Â
Meme #2 Explanation
In this next meme, Kermit the Frog plays both himself and his “evil” self. In this case, however, evil Kermit represents society and what they are telling mothers. Normal Kermit is observing that there is a mother who has no job but stays home to take care of her children, and evil Kermit is telling him to assume she is dumb. Since stay-home moms often don’t have conventional jobs, they can sometimes be perceived by society as unintelligent. People assume there is something wrong with them whether it is they can’t hold a job, are uneducated, or are simply lazy. They being a stay-home mom is somehow taking the easy way out to avoid having to get a “real” job. This meme points out how wrong these stereotypes and accusations can be and how society should be less critical of the choices mothers make.
Meme #3 Explanation
Here, Kermit is standing by a window and looking out at the rain longingly and in deep thought. The dilemma Kermit is facing in this meme is that he is a stay home mom with a wealthy husband and everyone assumes he is a “gold digger.” This is often a reality for many mothers who are in this situation and have to deal with labeling. Society as well as fellow moms will sometimes assume that if you are a mother without a job and you have a wealthy husband, you are seen as selfish because you aren’t staying home to simply spend more time with your children, but to avoid work while still affording to live a comfortable life.
Meme #4 Explanation
In this final meme, Kermit is casually sipping on some Lipton tea while reflecting on how stay-home moms face criticism for not paying attention to their careers. By not having a career outside of being a mother, society tells these types of moms that they are not setting a good example for their children by being both family and career oriented. They also can be looked down upon by other moms for not being very “feminist” or progressive by choosing to not have a career outside of the home. This meme calls out the double standard mothers face for either choosing to have a job or not have a job; both come with some form of criticism from society.
-Meghan CittyÂ
