How to give mothering the value it deserves

Community Care

The dynamics of community care play a crucial role in alleviating the burdens of mothering. Angela Garbes emphasizes the importance of communal living, highlighting how it can transform caregiving from an isolated task into a shared responsibility. She notes that in many parts of the world, communal living is still prevalent, contrasting with the modern American lifestyle, which often lacks such support systems 1.

When you receive care from other people, you find actually that as depleted as you feel, you might have a little extra something to give.

--- Angela Garbes

This approach not only provides practical support but also fosters a sense of dignity and wholeness among caregivers, potentially leading to broader community engagement and advocacy 1.

   

Family Responsibilities

Shared family responsibilities can significantly reduce the pressure on individual caregivers. During the pandemic, many families rediscovered the benefits of communal living, where tasks like cooking and childcare were shared among family members 1. Angela Garbes points out that this model of living is not only more sustainable but also aligns with how humans have historically lived.

The normal that we're supposed to be going back to is unacceptable. It always was.

--- Angela Garbes

By embracing interdependence and reshaping our communities, we can create environments where caregiving is valued and recognized, ultimately leading to societal changes that prioritize care work 2.