Throughline: Motherhood
Hosted by Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei
Released on May 1, 2025
Introduction
In the "Motherhood" episode of Throughline, NPR hosts Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei delve deep into the complex and often misunderstood facets of motherhood. By unraveling historical narratives and challenging prevalent myths, the episode seeks to answer the pivotal question: "How did we get here?" Through personal stories, expert insights, and historical analysis, the hosts explore the societal constructs that shape our understanding of motherhood today.
Personal Stories and Experiences
Chelsea Conoboy begins the discussion by sharing her personal journey through motherhood. She recounts the overwhelming mixture of joy and anxiety that accompanies the birth of her son:
"[00:32] Chelsea Conoboy:...the transition to parenthood is like a really powerful time of growth. But in any kind of growth, there's a cost to it. And I just, I felt a lot of worry."
This personal narrative sets the stage for a broader exploration of motherhood's demands and societal expectations.
The Myth of the Maternal Instinct
A central theme of the episode is the debunking of the "maternal instinct" myth—a notion that women are naturally predisposed to caregiving roles innately and effortlessly.
Chelsea Conoboy challenges this idea by stating:
"[08:36] Chelsea Conoboy:...it is something that grows from our brain and that is a process that takes time and that is shaped also by our babies and their particularities and who they are. It's a two way street."
This perspective emphasizes that caregiving is not an automatic response but a learned and adaptive behavior influenced by both the parent and child.
Historical Context and Eugenics
The episode traces the origins of the maternal instinct myth to the early 20th century, highlighting the influence of William McDougal, an early psychologist, who infused these ideas with racial and class biases.
Chelsea Conoboy discusses McDougal's problematic views:
"[14:12] Chelsea Conoboy: McDougal... promoted maternal instinct as biological destiny."
McDougal's work, steeped in eugenics and white supremacy, posited that maternal instincts were strongest among white, upper-middle-class women, thereby marginalizing women of color and other marginalized groups.
Welfare Rights Movement
The narrative shifts to the welfare rights movement, spotlighting Johnny Tillman, a black mother and activist who confronted the stigmatization of welfare recipients. The movement emerged as a response to the pervasive stereotypes that depicted women on welfare—particularly women of color—as lazy and dependent.
Johnny Tillman recounts her awakening to these injustices:
"[28:17] Johnny Tillman: That's what got me going."
"[31:21] Johnny Tillman...: That's why Governor Reagan can get away with slandering welfare recipients..."
Her activism was pivotal in challenging the "welfare queen" stereotype and advocating for the rights and dignity of all welfare recipients.
The Wages for Housework Movement
Parallel to the welfare rights movement, the episode explores the Wages for Housework movement, spearheaded by Sylvia Federici. This movement sought to recognize and compensate the unpaid labor of housewives, framing domestic work as essential economic activity.
Sylvia Federici articulates the necessity of this movement:
"[42:46] Sylvia Federici: Everything... work... essential for every kind of work that takes place in our society."
By advocating for wages for housework, Federici and her peers aimed to alter the economic and social perception of caregiving, promoting gender equality and the valuing of domestic labor.
Reframing Care and Radical Care
The episode culminates in a discussion about redefining care work and building community-based support systems. Premilla Nadasen emphasizes the importance of "radical care," which involves deep, meaningful relationships and collective support structures:
"[51:33] Premilla Nadasen: ...the value of that kind of community based care, or what I call radical care... our ability to provide care when somebody needs it."
This reframing challenges the individualistic approach to caregiving, advocating instead for systemic changes that support families and communities.
Conclusion and Reflections
Throughline concludes by reflecting on the resilience of mothers and the potential for societal transformation. Rund Abdelfatah shares a personal perspective:
"[50:26] Rand Abdelfatah: ...maybe there's some hope in that. Maybe when everything else fails, that is the thing we can fall back on each other."
The episode underscores the necessity of dismantling harmful myths and building supportive infrastructures to honor and sustain the vital role of mothers and caregivers in society.
Key Takeaways
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Debunking Myths: The idea of an innate maternal instinct is a relatively modern construct, influenced by historical biases and not a universal truth across all cultures and species.
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Historical Influences: Early psychological theories, intertwined with eugenics and racial biases, played a significant role in shaping societal expectations of motherhood.
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Activism and Change: Activists like Johnny Tillman and movements such as Welfare Rights and Wages for Housework have been crucial in challenging stereotypes and advocating for the rights and recognition of caregivers.
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Reframing Care: Emphasizing community-based care and recognizing domestic work as essential can lead to more equitable and supportive societal structures.
Notable Quotes
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"Motherhood is a hard, unending chore."
Premilla Nadasen [02:07] -
"There’s a powerful fantasy in American society... an ideal mother devoted to her family above all else."
Rand Abdelfatah [02:47] -
"We relied on support."
Chelsea Conoboy [12:13] -
"They're essential for every kind of work that takes place in our society."
Sylvia Federici [44:38]
This episode of Throughline offers a profound exploration of the societal constructs surrounding motherhood, urging listeners to question ingrained narratives and advocate for systemic change to support and honor the multifaceted roles of mothers and caregivers.