In today’s era of parenting, where the concept of equal responsibility is gaining traction, one would expect that mothers might receive some respite. However, this assumption proves to be misguided. Even in matters that ought to be tackled collectively, the burden often falls squarely on moms. A recent study highlights a concerning trend: children are not getting enough exercise, and guess who gets blamed? That’s right, it’s mom once again.
Commissioned by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a survey aimed to assess how much physical activity mothers engage in with their children. The results reveal that between work commitments and the myriad responsibilities mothers juggle, there’s little time left for family bike rides or outdoor play. The survey shows that the predominant activities moms share with their kids are limited to dinner, screen time, and homework—all squeezed into the few moments available after a long workday. Of the 1,154 mothers surveyed, only about half had taken a walk, run, or bike ride with their children in the past week, and a mere 26 percent reported playing sports or dancing together. Strangely, there’s no data on how many fathers were out there running marathons with their kids after work—perhaps because no one bothered to ask.
While the survey was conducted by a women’s publication, it raises the question: why was the focus solely on mothers? Researchers quickly pointed fingers at moms, suggesting that their sedentary lifestyles are contributing to rising obesity rates among children. What about fathers?
This study was part of the Commit2Ten initiative, which encourages families to engage in just ten minutes of physical activity daily. Yet, why is it that moms are seen as solely accountable for instigating this? Why are only mothers’ “bad” habits highlighted as detrimental to their kids’ health?
Mothers are already tasked with the lofty expectations of perfect pregnancies, extended breastfeeding, and crafting Pinterest-worthy lunches—all while aiming to raise ambitious daughters and monitor screen time. Now, they’re expected to take on yet another responsibility?
While it’s clear that mothers play a crucial role in fostering healthy habits, they are not the sole contributors. The ongoing narrative that places the onus on mothers is exhausting. Fathers often maintain their identities and receive accolades for even the slightest parenting efforts. While I don’t seek recognition for merely meeting basic expectations, I do wish for a fair distribution of responsibilities. I may be a hero in my children’s eyes, but that doesn’t equate to superhuman capabilities.
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In summary, the expectation that mothers should shoulder the bulk of parenting responsibilities, especially regarding health and fitness, is not only outdated but also unfair. The narrative needs to shift to recognize the shared responsibilities of parenting.