I first learned about “The Stepford Wives” from the podcast You’re Wrong About, which delves into pop culture phenomena from the 80s and 90s, uncovering the truths behind them. The hosts, Sam Taylor and Chris Parker, are both insightful and entertaining—so much so that I’d love to grab coffee with them.
In their episode on “The Stepford Wives,” they explore the satirical nature of Ira Levin’s work and how it continues to resonate today. The satire serves to highlight the absurd limitations placed on women by society—particularly by men—who aim to keep mothers passive and confined to their homes.
The story follows Joanna Eberhart, a photographer and mother who relocates to a seemingly idyllic town in Connecticut with her family. Joanna quickly notices that the other mothers appear strangely robotic, fixated solely on household chores and the needs of their husbands and children. These women, once vibrant activists and professionals, have become submissive, seemingly brainwashed or poisoned by their husbands, who are part of a local men’s club. Ultimately, Joanna discovers the horrifying truth: the wives are being murdered and replaced with lifelike robots, stripped of their opinions and independence.
It seems far-fetched that society would ever go so far as to eliminate women outright. However, we should acknowledge the historical precedent of medicating mothers to maintain compliance. “Mother’s Little Helper,” a term used for tranquilizers like Miltown, became a popular solution for women struggling to balance the demands of a male-dominated world. During the mid-20th century, women faced immense pressure—whether to embrace traditional roles as homemakers or to compete in the workforce—and many found themselves overwhelmed.
As feminism began making strides in the 1960s and 70s, psychotropic medications became a go-to for addressing women’s unhappiness. Miltown, marketed as a remedy for anxiety and stress, was often prescribed to help women cope. A doctor in a 1956 Cosmopolitan article even claimed that “frigid women” responded better to their husbands after taking Miltown. Ridiculous, right? Instead of addressing women’s genuine needs—support, independence, and a fulfilling life—society opted to sedate them.
While I fully support the use of medication for mental health issues when necessary, it’s crucial that these solutions are coupled with therapy and holistic care. Unfortunately, women have often been labeled as overly emotional or irrational, leading to prescriptions that encourage compliance rather than addressing the core issues at hand.
Miltown eventually gave way to benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax, which were deemed safer but still came with risks of addiction and abuse. These drugs were promoted as “happy pills” for women, and even today, primary care providers are more likely to prescribe them to women than to men. Society continues to stigmatize addiction and mental health struggles, particularly for women, while reinforcing the narrative that their discomfort is a personal failing.
Feminism, while noble in concept, faces significant challenges in practice. Men, especially those in positions of power, often resort to tactics that undermine women’s autonomy, ranging from overt control to more insidious forms of manipulation. Even well-intentioned men may claim to support women’s independence but often resist changes that threaten their comfort and privilege.
Today, while women still grapple with the pressures of motherhood and societal expectations, alcohol has become the preferred coping mechanism, often glamorized as “Mommy Juice.” This culture of self-medication poses a grave risk, as many women turn to unhealthy habits to escape the demands of parenting.
The ongoing cycle of self-medication must be addressed. Women should seek genuine support, self-care, and professional help rather than relying on substances to cope. It’s time for women to recognize the harm of accepting numbness in exchange for freedom.
For more insights on this topic, be sure to check out this related post and resources like this excellent guide on pregnancy and TFP Wessex Fertility for expert advice.
Summary
The societal trend of drugging mothers to maintain compliance predates the contemporary “Mommy Wine Culture.” Historically, women have been prescribed medications to cope with the pressures of motherhood and societal expectations, often to the detriment of their mental health. It’s crucial to address these underlying issues rather than resorting to self-medication. Women deserve support and autonomy, not sedation.