Title
Document Type
Definition Essay
Publication Date
1990
Excerpt
One thing that really bothers me about television is the way that most aspects of real life are distorted. Women in their roles as mothers are especially mistreated. Television gives such a false portrayal that real mothers seem unreal. Because of this, real mothers may not be given credit where credit is due. We always hear the mothers on television talking about their grueling day at work, yet they look as if they had just stepped out of a salon. Even after the "grueling day," they are fresh enough to handle all the children's problems, listen to their husband's complaints and cook a healthy meal without skipping a beat. People tend to believe what they see on television, and this can be dangerous. I don't think anyone can be expected to just walk in from a hard day's work and be able to handle all the problems that go along with running a household. Most people need a little time to relax first. It's very unnatural to do what the TV mom does. If people internalize these false representations, they will not believe the real struggles of a real mom. And it can be even more damaging if the real mom comes to internalize these expectations herself. If real moms are to get their due, we must learn to be critical of the falsification of reality by TV moms.
Recommended Citation
Plackner, Sara, "Who's Mom? (1990)" (1990). The Valpo Core Reader. 390.
http://scholar.valpo.edu/core_reader/390