This Mother's Day, mothers require companions more than floral arrangements.

As I entered motherhood, I recall feeling anxious about the potential alterations to my life.
I have concerns about what I would have to give up and how others would perceive me if I become a mother. I wonder if being a mom would be my only defining characteristic or if I would still be seen as a complete person. Additionally, I am worried about who would support me besides my family. These concerns are valid, as research shows that only 35% of mothers are content with their friendships. At Barna Group, we are studying the status of mothers in the US in partnership with MOPS International.
The reason why we are supporting this project so strongly is because it resonates with all of us who are working on it. The majority of the Barna team members who are participating, including the researchers and writers, are mothers.
In addition, the discussion of providing strategic support to mothers is currently not being held by many leaders.
The complete report regarding motherhood will be published later this year. However, during our examination, we discovered a significant revelation that we are eager to disclose: mothers require a supportive community, and the lack of it negatively impacts their well-being. Additionally, we have compiled a list of affordable, considerate, and delightful activities to celebrate Mother's Day.
We conducted a survey for this research that included a diverse group of mothers who have children under 18 years old. This group included married and single mothers from different religions and economic backgrounds, living in various geographic locations.
In our study, we characterized a community as a collection of individuals who reside in the same location or share a common trait. Therefore, a mother's community may encompass her social circles, helpful relatives, or other environments or connections beyond her household where she feels a sense of belonging.
Given our broad definition of "community," it was concerning to find that a significant number of mothers are unhappy with their communities in three specific aspects. Trust is one of these areas, with 70% of mothers reporting that they lack confidence in their community's ability to look after their children.
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson established Mother's Day through a proclamation. A mere 20% of mothers believe they can openly express their flaws and vulnerabilities to their friends or community, indicating a lack of genuineness and acceptance.
Just 28% of mothers feel appreciated by their community, according to a survey.
Approximately 19% of women feel that they can make a significant contribution to the world on a regular basis.
The reason behind the dissatisfaction of numerous mothers is that they are burdened with the main duties of managing the practical, psychological, and moral aspects of their household, as per our earlier investigations.
This may lead to a culture where it becomes challenging to delegate responsibilities to others and have faith in their ability to provide meaningful support and truly enhance one's life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was discovered that 56% of mothers reported an increase in their stress levels.
It is possible that their dissatisfaction is partly due to the lasting effects of pandemic-related stress, fatigue, and neglect of self-care, which many people are still experiencing. Additionally, we can assume that social media has significantly increased the societal expectations for mothers to excel in all aspects of their lives, including their relationships, household duties, parenting, and careers, resulting in an environment where women find it difficult to be authentic with others.
Mothers, take comfort in knowing that God is supporting you no matter where you are in your journey. Our research has shown that having a close confidant, someone to share personal stories and feelings with, can provide hope and encouragement. 81% of mothers have such a friend, who is not their spouse or significant other.
The information indicates that a mother can be greatly influenced by just one trusted friend, which can affect various aspects of her life such as her perspective, personal objectives, and contentment with work and home.
In contrast, if we examine the group of people who lack a trusted friend, we find that younger mothers from Generation Z and unmarried single mothers are notably more prone to belong to this category, with only 65% and 66% respectively having a confidant.
These mothers have significant needs as they report lower levels of well-being, job satisfaction, marital satisfaction, home life satisfaction, and ability to take breaks and care for themselves.
Although some of these discoveries are concerning, simply being aware of this information is insufficient to support the well-being of mothers.
What should be the reaction of those who are part of mothers' groups? The support system around a mother can establish and respect secure environments for relaxation, genuineness, appropriate limits, and practical anticipations. Additionally, it can validate a woman's value as an individual, not just as a member of her family.
I was lucky to discover a supportive group of people when I became a mother. To receive the opinion newsletter, click on the provided link.
If you are a mother who lacks reliable friends, a trusted confidant, or feels overwhelmed by societal expectations, understand that you are acknowledged and recognized.
Your voice has been acknowledged.
This research confirms the validity of your personal experiences and challenges.
It is normal to feel alone or unsure about belonging to a group, but you deserve the benefits of genuine friendships when you fully accept them.
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