Online Discourse and Gender Roles in Parenting: Evidence From Mothering.com Forums

Abstract

This research investigates the reinforcement and challenge of traditional gender roles in contemporary parenting by analyzing discussion threads from the online forum Mothering.com. Drawing from West and Zimmerman's theory of “doing gender” and Connell and Messerschmidt's gender theory, the study explores how users navigate gender norms in their discussions on parenting. The analysis uncovers a nuanced relationship between adhering to and resisting conventional gender roles. While many participants uphold traditional expectations of mothers as primary caregivers and fathers as breadwinners, there is also notable advocacy for more equitable parenting practices. The results underscore both the persistence of traditional gender norms and a growing movement toward gender equality in family dynamics. This research contributes to understanding about the impact of digital platforms on discussions of gender roles in parenting while offering useful considerations for the changing perceptions about motherhood and fatherhood within the digital age.