One bad mother in praise of psycho housewives, stage parents, momfluencers, and other women we love to hate

"We all have an idea what it means to be a good mom: little screen time, kids hitting their milestones, endless patience and understanding, and self-sacrifice on behalf of one's children. But what does it mean to be a "bad mom" in modern society? Women as wide-ranging as Meghan Markle, Hannah Neelma...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dickson, Ej (Author)
Format: Books Print Book
Language:English
Published: New York, NY : Simon Element, 2026.
Edition:First Simon Element hardcover edition.
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Summary:"We all have an idea what it means to be a good mom: little screen time, kids hitting their milestones, endless patience and understanding, and self-sacrifice on behalf of one's children. But what does it mean to be a "bad mom" in modern society? Women as wide-ranging as Meghan Markle, Hannah Neelman (of Ballerina Farm), and anyone giving birth over forty, have been labeled "bad moms." In a world where the rules are constantly changing, it feels like women simply cannot win. With this in mind, in her first book, Ej Dickson takes a sharp, provocative look at one of society's most polarizing labels: the "bad mom." What makes a mother "bad," and why? Through the lens of pop culture and American history, Ej Dickson explores how this trope has evolved--from Victorian "angels in the house" to the infamous Mommie Dearest, from Instagram influencers like EmRata and Mormon momfluencers to fictional icons like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Each chapter dives into a different archetype of so-called bad motherhood--like the Stage Mom, the Tiger Mom, the MILF, the MLM hun--challenging us to rethink our assumptions about femininity, parenting, and societal expectations. Drawing on insightful analysis and interviews, Dickson unpacks why our culture is obsessed with vilifying moms and how issues of race and class shape these narratives. Are bad moms truly "bad," or do they simply defy norms we don't fully understand--or fear?"-- Provided by publisher.
Physical Description:333 pages 22 cm
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references (pages 281-333)
ISBN:9781668051115
9781668051122
Author Notes:Ej Dickson is a senior writer at New York magazine's The Cut . She previously worked as a senior writer for Rolling Stone and her writing has also been published in The New York Times , The Washington Post , GQ , Elle , and many others . She lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York. Visit EjDickson.com for more information.