Why do some people think 'woman' equals 'mother'?

Question

I often notice people saying things like 'this pension scheme is good for women' or 'women need more help to balance work / life goals' - when quite often the only people it would benefit are mothers - with single and working women in the exact same boat as before. So why do people assume that women = mother, and that anything which helps mothers, helps women in general? What are your thoughts? :-)

Answer 1

1) 'this pension scheme is good for women.' On average women live longer than men. You'd want a pension that puts more in to it and spreads the money out over time.

2)  'women need more help to balance work / life goals.' Women aren't doing a good job seperating work from their personal life. They are so obsessed with climbing the corporate ranks that they have no time for themselves.

Why do you have to make to straight forward questions into making women that don't have families being victims? I don't see anything that refers to women being mothers.

Answer 2

Mommy? o_O

lol..I knew someone who thought all women were mother..

yeah..he was like 2...he called all women mommy..even me. it was cute but odd at the same time.

But i get what ur saying. I guess its just old fashioned idealogy still playing out.

Answer 3

I am over 18 and have no children and yes this is discrimination against childless women

I am sick of people asking if I have kids

Last I checked only animals had mating seasons or go into heat, not humans, we have a choice of when or even if we want to have s*x, get married, or have children.

In fact there are times when I am told I can't do something because it is only for couples or only for mothers.

Who the F*(^ says that they are more important than me

Answer 4

Woman are all equal Childless or not. The classes/help for pregnant women or of children should just be labled as Designed for these kinds of women But suitable for all. There SHOULDN'T be ANY discrimination for a "type" of woman.

Answer 5

that's what woman are for being mothers........

Answer 6

I agree. It's like the idea of including maternity benefits in every working woman's package, when a significant portion of them will never be mothers at all.

MUSICA: Geez, that's not the point. We're just saying that what helps mothers, helps mothers, and not all women.

Answer 7

I know what you mean. I'm 40 and childfree, and it's annoying to be lumped in with all the mothers. What use would I have for paid maternity leave at a job? Or on-site daycare? I think companies should offer cafeteria-style benefits, where you can pick the perks that are most relevant to your life.

Answer 8

Men can't get pregnant so naturally

since the only s*x that can get pregnant

is a woman and there's a probiblity that

you could at some point either choose to

have a baby or accidently get knocked up

there is a special penshion plan just for the

physical needs of a woman including this

but not limited to only those needs.

As a man for example I'll never get ovarian

cancer(I think)So that is included in the

womans package but not in the mens.

Hope that helps!

Answer 9

That's what woman are for: being mothers.

And yes, before you say it, I am a chauvinistic pig! ;o)

Answer 10

I've never thought of that before. Interesting point.

Perhaps because most women eventually become mothers, so the generalisation encapsulates a woman (present and future).

You have to admit that most women cave into that ticking biological clock. I never thought I would, but I did in the end. And very glad I did.

I know that's not what your question is about - just musing. :)

Answer 11

Perhaps it goes way back to mythology in such cases as Gaia being the mother of Earth; moving on to Mary Mother of Jesus, Mother Nature and that all women carry wombs; symbolizing motherhood.

Answer 12

Because women. are the only ones that can get pregnant. But saying that is the only purpose for women is just stupid

Answer 13

It sure doesn't for me.

Answer 14

So are you saying mothers shouldn't be helped?

You have a mother, don't you?

So why are you being sexist against mothers?

Also many single women are mothers.

For too many years, working mothers were blown off and discriminated against. They used to be able to fire you if you got pregnant.  It's bad enough they still try to put mothers on the so-called "mommy track" which often is a track away from promotions and raises.

I wouldn't want to see the return of those days.

My thought?

You're probably angry cuz you don't have kids, and I'll bet once you'll have kid you'll want EVERY so called "privilege" available... because it's all about you, right? You'll be the biggest "Momzilla" on the planet.

HUMPH.

Answer 15

Motherhood is part of being a woman... of course not every woman will be a mother, but every mother is a woman, if that makes sense... marketing tries to appeal to the majority, and generalisations make it easier.

And I do believe that anything which helps mothers helps society as a whole, as mothers are creating the next generation. :)