What is it about?
This study looks at how employed mothers in India feel about the notion of "supermom" — someone who tries to do everything perfectly at work and home. The study examines their views and how they affect their confidence, work involvement, and mental health. About half saw the supermom idea as harmful, while the other half found it helpful. We found that mothers who view the supermom role as positive feel more confident, do better at work, and feel mentally healthier. While chasing the supermom ideal can be tiring, it can also inspire some mothers.
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Photo by Rob te Braake on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This study shows how the pressure to be a "supermom" affects employed mothers' confidence, work performance, and mental health. Understanding these effects can help create better support systems at work and home, making it easier for mothers to balance their roles without feeling overwhelmed.
Perspectives
This study comes straight from our hearts. As three working mothers and academicians, we live the daily challenge of balancing work and home. Through our own struggles and triumphs, we often wondered — why do some mothers seem to handle it all with ease, while others feel overwhelmed? What lifts them up, and what weighs them down? These questions sparked our journey to truly understand the factors that help or hinder mothers as they juggle the many roles life demands of them.
Shalaka Shah
FLAME University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Supermoms—Tired, admired, or inspired? Decoding the impact of supermom beliefs: A study on Indian employed mothers, PLOS One, April 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321665.
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