Thanks, Mom: Christian Approaches to Motherhood
Woodrow Wilson first declared Mother’s Day a national honorary holiday 100 years ago, co-signing a proclamation with Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan on May 9, 1914. The official purpose was to call for the public display of the American flag on public buildings and residences, as a show of patriotic support and “public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Americans had honored their mothers on a special day for a few years prior to the Wilson proclamation. The holiday was spreading even while Americans were voting on whether to grant suffrage to their mothers and other women in various states. The Senate considered the Susan B. Anthony amendment, to grant women’s suffrage just a few weeks later on May 24, 1914. The amendment failed at that time, but would later be passed after the resolution of World War I. A century of change for women has redefined the concept of motherhood, and Christian church groups have been very outspoken over the years on the proper place for women and mothers in society.
1914 White House Proclamation of Mother's Day |
An example of the
traditional Christian model of women and motherhood is the book God’s Ideal Woman by Clifford Lewis of
Kansas City Bible College, with an introduction by Mrs. Billy Sunday. Originally published in 1941, the book
remains for sale in print,
but is also available online
in its entirety.
Practical suggestions for women are
clearly presented in chapter titles such as “Don’t
Be a Silly Girl,” and “Advice
to the Old Maid.” In chapter five, “The
Responsibility of Motherhood,” the author cited odes to the bravery, music,
kiss, prayers, and love of a good mother. There was a tale of a heavenly angel
who collected a mother’s love as one of the most beautiful things of earth.
There were also cautionary tales about a careless mom who
dropped her baby in the bear pit at the circus, and an undiscerning mother who taught her
son to play cards, which led him to life in prison. The lesson: mothers are filled
with the sweetest love, but could use a little help around the wild animals. Also, avoid worldly pursuits.
More recent approaches
reflect the challenge of combining traditional Christian models with modern
feminist influences. Marabel
Morgan became a pop icon of conservative, yet frisky Christian womanhood in
the 1970s. Her “Total Woman” embraced the traditional role of Christian
submission and motherhood, while integrating Seventies openness to sexuality
within marriage. Other church-sponsored role models for mothers have included
1980s “Facts of Life” star and “Personal Mom Coach” Lisa Whelchel. Whelchel gained some
attention for her advocacy of “hot saucing” as a
corrective method to verbal misbehavior of her children. Crowdsourcing
motherhood advice is a popular method today, and Pinterest has a collection
of the best “must-follow” Christian moms.
The most influential resource for church
moms today is MOPS, or Mothers of
Preschoolers. A support group for 8 moms in Colorado grew into an international
network of mostly church-based local chapters, along with publishing ventures
including a regular magazine.
They use a basic leadership structure built around MOPS Mentors, and to answer
your next question: yes, they do sponsor an annual convention, and yes, it is
called Momcon. The 2013 Momcon brought more
than 3000 MOPS members to Kansas City to hear speakers including Beth Moore and
Jen Hatmaker. They also participated in workshops and social events including a dance party.
Groups like MOPS demonstrate a savvy approach to networking and providing
resources to support the work that moms face every day.
The feminist movement, and changes in society dramatically reshaped the role of women over the last 100 years. Christian
church groups responded to these changes by working to preserve a place for
traditional motherhood. As the feminist movement brought birth control,
abortion, and expanded opportunities for women in the workplace, conservative
Christian groups worked to elevate the dignity of working in the home.
The growing popularity of home schooling built on this strategy as well. Christian fatherhood initiatives
are not as popular. Men's groups typically focus on managing the workplace and family
balance.
Early Mother's Day ad, 1913 |
What can often be missed in these traditional efforts is a sensitivity and acceptance for those who do not fit the very traditional models of women in the home and men in the workplace. Single mothers and fathers, working mothers, stay-at-home fathers, and couples without children may be left out of national efforts to recognize and support families. As conservative Christian churches continue to wrestle with cultural shifts in the definition of marriage, it will be worth noting how these programs respond to those changes.
As Mother's Day officially enters its second century today, be sure to honor the mothers around you today. And be careful around the bear pit.
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