Flowers for Mom, a Tie for Dad: How Gender is Created on Mother’s and Father’s Day

Abstract

Mother's and Father's Day celebrations were investigated to understand how gender is created on these two occasions. Fifty-three heterosexual couples were interviewed about family holidays. Mother's Day was given more attention than Father's Day. Families spent more time celebrating; they were more likely to eat out, and were more likely to celebrate with others. Mothers were also more likely to receive gifts than fathers. The gendering of the holidays was reflected in the more stereotypical gifts received on Mother's and Father's Day than on birthdays, and in that mothers were more likely to report relief from chores on Mother's Day than fathers were on Father's Day (p \ .01). Families in which women worked full-time and whose husbands contributed substantially to domestic labor were as likely to celebrate in gendered ways as traditional families were. These holidays reflect and promote hegemonic notions of the gendered nature of motherhood and fatherhood.

The Gendered Production–Consumption Relation: Accounting for Employment and Socioeconomic Hierarchies in the Colombian Cut Flower Global Commodity Chain

“…This research shows that even though the gendered division of labour in the home, including parental roles, has changed, women receive more attention and gifts on Mother's Day than men on Father's Day. Similarly, the study shows that because motherhood is considered women's primary identity, women tend to have higher expectations for Mother's Day and suffer greater disappointment due to unmet expectations, as it is perceived to be a reflection of their performance as mothers (Cote and Deutsch 2008, p. 225). In contrast, because men's identity is not primarily linked to fatherhood they tend to enjoy Father's Day comparatively more (Cote and Deutsch 2008, p. 224).…”

“…Similarly, the study shows that because motherhood is considered women's primary identity, women tend to have higher expectations for Mother's Day and suffer greater disappointment due to unmet expectations, as it is perceived to be a reflection of their performance as mothers (Cote and Deutsch 2008, p. 225). In contrast, because men's identity is not primarily linked to fatherhood they tend to enjoy Father's Day comparatively more (Cote and Deutsch 2008, p. 224). Although, this study is limited in scope, what is important to note is that even when gender roles and employment patterns change, the gendered identities traditionally associated with the nuclear family take time to transform.…”

“…And, while gender identities are dynamic (Brandth 1994, 1995), and change across culture, time and space according to broader societal change, shifts in identity are neither uncomplicated nor expedient. For instance, a study of Mother's and Father's Day in the US, illustrates that the maintenance of traditional notions associated with parental roles remains despite increased participation of men in parenting and household chores and women's incorporation into the labour force (Cote and Deutsch 2008). This research shows that even though the gendered division of labour in the home, including parental roles, has changed, women receive more attention and gifts on Mother's Day than men on Father's Day.…”

Contemporary Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Greeting Cards

“…To provide insights about societal expectations for parents, it is useful to analyze cultural objects associated with Mother's Day and Father's Day, occasions celebrated on two separate days, not on a singular Parents' Day. When Cote and Deutsch (2008) studied cultural objects associated with Mother's Day and Father's Day, namely the gifts, they found that mothers in the United States typically received flowers and a restaurant meal with their family, whereas fathers received ties or other masculine tokens of appreciation. Comic strips published on these two occasions (LaRossa, Jaret, Gadgil, & Wynn, 2000) have also shown a continued emphasis on traditional ideologies associated with motherhood and fatherhood.…”