ABSTRACT
That mothers are inferior to fathers is probably the most pervasive mother myth. In chapter 4, we saw how, because of higher expectations for mothers than fathers, we are quick to criticize our mothers for not being perfect but appreciate our fathers for merely trying. The myth of mothers’ inferiority takes many other forms as well. For example, although traditional mother’s work-child-rearing, housecleaning, cooking, and monitoring the family dynamics-is unpaid and largely unappreciated, the traditional father’s major work is breadwinning, paid work. Even in families in which both parents are wage earners, the fact that
men’s parenting activities tend to involve more play, while women do more limit-setting and mundane activities like feeding and dressing children, helps perpetuate the relatively greater appreciation of fathers. (As mentioned, the respect and honor that are supposed to compensate a mother for her motherwork and household work are rarely forthcoming.)
The myth of mothers’ inferiority leads to women being far more frequently the target of their husbands’ and grown children’s violent behavior than men are of their wives’ or children’s assaults. Furthermore, despite the public’s increased awareness-through the O. J. Simpson trial, for instance-of the frequency of wife battering, when it comes to interpreting the motives of victims of abuse, women are still assumed to have “brought the violence on themselves,” whereas men victims are thought to be undeserving targets who deserve sympathy.
