Why mothers are still unhappy

Mothers today feel like they are going absolutely crazy. They are exhausted, underpaid and under-appreciated. They feel like slaves to their kids, homes, husbands and careers - just like our mothers did. So what went wrong?

Most people blame mothers for this state of affairs. We tell women that motherhood is blissful and it's up to them to find work-life balance. We remind them that they chose to have children and can decide if they wish to have a career or not. But how free are their choices?

Did the suffragists and feminists fail mothers?

This book gets to the heart of the reasons why mothers are unhappy today and what's really holding them back. It shifts the blame from mothers, to hundreds of pressures that make it extraordinarily difficult for mothers to flourish. This book is an easy-to-read summary of the extensive academic research on motherhood. It not only describes the 15 main barriers that women face but also provides 15 practical strategies, including:

• stop asking mothers to choose career or family
• never expect mothers to be martyrs to kids
• make childcare available, affordable and acceptable
• question the 24/7 work culture and the mommy penalty
• adopt a partnership model of the family

Unlike other books that urge women to be super-moms, this book focuses on the whole institution of motherhood consisting of our traditional family model, our traditions and out-dated beliefs. Although motherhood may be madness, it need not be. This book provides a manifesto for anyone who wants mothers to be happy and free.

Maureen F. Fitzgerald, PhD, LLM, JD, BComm is a former lawyer, law professor and gender expert. She is also a mother and the author of twelve books. She practiced law for 20 years, has two law degrees, a business degree and a doctorate degree. As one of Canada's most articulate and outspoken advocates for social justice and equality she calls herself a maven on a mission.