Herland- Motherhood

Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman emphasizes the important aspect of motherhood, as an essential duty women have in their lives. However the women, whom live in this nation, also have strictly different views on the role the woman has in the child’s life. The women in Herland perceive motherhood as the ultimate honor, to bring children to life during their lives. Although, once the women conceive and deliver the children, which can only be done once in a woman’s life, the nurturing and development as the child grows is left to another individual. The nation of women believed the development and the education of the future beings of Herland is too important for an ordinary woman to handle, and this is why specialist teach the children instead of the original mother.

           Herland’s outlook on motherhood drastically varies from the ideas of motherhood today and in the history of American society. Childbearing has always been the main duty of a woman, but it is also seen as an expression of sexuality between a woman and a man. Once life is created, the mother starts the job of nurturing and helping the growth of a child until adulthood. The parents of the child are the ultimate social teachers and educators in the child’s life. The mother child bond is viewed as very important and continues as a social norm. This idea of motherhood varies from those of the women in Herland significantly.