Celebrating Mothers Today and Everyday

May 12, 2021

Anna Porter contributed to this post.

Since 1914, the second Sunday of May has been recognized nationally as Mother’s Day. Today, motherhood connects women from all different walks of life. Some are single parents, while some are in committed relationships and marriages. There are mothers with biological children, with adopted children, and those who have lost children. We see breadwinning mothers with career aspirations beyond the domestic sphere, as well as women who are fulfilling their dreams of pursuing motherhood as a full-time job. As the circumstances surrounding motherhood continue to change, the mission of Mother’s Day remains the same: to celebrate the strong women that support their families as well as themselves.

Let’s take a look at how motherhood has changed over the years.

Increased Educational Attainment of Mothers

As of 2014, nearly 15% more women with high educational attainment have had children than in the 20 years prior. This is a testament to the ability of women to both prioritize their own development, and support their families. These women have not let motherhood stop their own educational goals. This statistic also coincides with the fact that women are having babies later in life, giving them more time in their youth to focus on professional and educational pursuits. As of 2017, almost 42% of mothers over the age of 25 in the United States have completed a higher education degree. This would not have been the case in 1994, when the median age at which women became mothers was 23. That number has since risen to 26.4 years old (2018). 

These statistics serve as an encouragement to women who dream of both achieving high levels of education, and becoming mothers. They don’t have to pick one over the other - they are capable of doing both!

Single and Working Mothers

Single mothers, and single parents in general, have also increased in number. This is due in part to a rise in children from non-married couples. As of 2017, one in five children live with solo mothers. These single mothers are responsible for childcare, making a steady income, and keeping themselves fulfilled and healthy. The strength required for single parents is something to be admired.

Whether they are single or in a relationship, mothers are also making up a greater percentage of the labor force than ever before. In 2017, over 40% of mothers from households with children under the age of 18 earned equally as much as their partners, earned more than their partners, or were the sole earners.. From this same demographic, over 70% of mothers participated in the workforce in 2018.

These ideas remind us that women do not have to sacrifice career aspirations in order to become mothers, and that having a job does not determine how good of a mother someone is. There are women across the world supporting their families and contributing to the labor force in meaningful ways. 

Celebrating Strong Women

As we reflect on this Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the women who are putting time into personal development as well as raising children--whether it be through professional growth, educational attainment, or continuing to become the best mothers and role models they can be. Here’s to all the mothers and strong women working on themselves for the betterment of the next generation. Let’s remember to honor and learn from their strength and grace every day.