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The Dartmouth
July 9, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Motherhood Perceptions Whitewashed by Stereotypes

To the Editor:

Upon reading Monday's "Our Heroic Women," by Conor Dugan, I felt compelled to mention a few things that were missing in his tribute to the All-American woman: the mother. In attempting to cast a deifying light on mothers/homemakers/housewives, the writer only manages to cling to stereotypes, drawing upon those familiar conservative "family values" clichs. To neglect to mention the varying quality of mothering offered by these "heroes" signifies a white-washing of the whole issue. There are good mothers, so-so mothers and downright bad mothers. Perhaps, society (as well as the abused and neglected children belonging to the "bad" mothers) would have benefited much more had the mothers gone career, instead of mother.

He also speaks of the choice women must make between entering into either the work force or motherhood. However, he fails to treat the obvious compromise available to women here at Dartmouth, as well as everywhere else: becoming a career woman and a mother. After handing out the halos to the future non-career mothers with Ivy League degrees, Dugan applauds their courage and ends with a papal quote, thereby completing the deification he sought. This misguided praise lumps all of society's women together, stripping them of their individuality and negating their potential for earning (every woman for herself) some deserved acknowledgement in life, in whichever arenas they choose.