Chappell Roan’s controversial comments exposed a divide that mothers are sick of
While children are incredibly fulfilling, they will not necessarily completely fulfil you.
Chappell Roan has sparked controversy by saying that all of her friends who have kids are ‘in hell’.
In the March 26 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, she went on to say: ‘I actually don’t know anyone who is like, happy and has children at this age. I have literally not met anyone who is happy, anyone who has light in their eyes, anyone who has slept.’
Whether or not she meant to, she touched a nerve. That’s an understatement actually, she whacked it with a cattle prod because – in the days since – social media has blown up with people on both sides of the fence reacting.
On one side, you have childfree people agreeing with Chappell, applauding her for saying it how it is. And on the other, you have mothers intent on setting the record straight.
Oh my god, I hate all of the in-fighting.
At a time when motherhood – womanhood, actually – is so politicised, I feel the divide between us on this issue only serves to make us weak in a way we cannot afford to be right now.
I’m someone who is absolutely exhausted thanks to a sleep-averse toddler and a newborn (Picture: Getty Images)American women have had their right to choose what to do with their own bodies ripped from them, UK women are facing colossal childcare costs that are forcing them out the workforce at a devastating rate, and the rise of conservatism online is seeing more and more childfree women criticised and judged for their own choices.
As someone who is absolutely exhausted thanks to a sleep-averse toddler and a newborn, I’m not sure I’m making a lot of sense at the moment. But I must say that I personally enjoy motherhood.
But more interesting than my own views on the subject, I think, is the emotionally-charged nature of this topic and getting to the bottom of why some mothers might be feeling like ‘hell’.
The crux of this is that from as early as we are cognisant, little girls are told that having children will fulfil them. Subliminally and overtly, we are pretty much conditioned to believe that having children is our life’s purpose. This really is a message that doesn’t do anyone any good.
