Apparently modern mums are shocking older generations with their willingness to overshare, according to new research. The study shows young mums are five times more likely to discuss intimate parenting issues than their own mothers were. Almost a quarter of today’s mothers are happy to discuss the best sex position to conceive – compared to just one per cent of grandmothers. Additionally, while talking about their post-baby bodies is the norm for six in 10 mums, only 21 per cent of grandmothers would have done the same.
This comes as no surprise in our brave new world of over-sharing. Grandparents didn’t have Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and to be honest, if it was around, no one would have used it because they were all far more private back then. I feel sorry for my mother having to read half the stuff I put on my blog. It must pain her to have to read lurid details and there are still a lot of people who don’t want to share their inner thoughts with the world, but certainly we have all become a lot more open, which surely can only be a good thing?
Mental health issues are now even discussed amongst footballers and cricketers. Far more men are opening up and talking publicly about all sorts of things they wouldn’t have ever discussed with their parents and this is helping the younger generation deal with their issues.
The results, which will be discussed on ITV’s Lorraine today (Thursday 23rd March) also found the role of modern dads has changed radically and I’m proud of the fact that talking more openly with our children has encouraged a much more hands on approach to young father’s raising their kids, 50 per cent more than the 29 per cent of grandfather’s who helped out heavily with their families.
Additionally, the number of mothers left to do ‘most of the childcare’ has halved from 32 per of grandmothers to just 15 per cent of young mothers and once again, this can only be a good thing for women and equality in general. It means they can continue to pursue their careers and enjoy the children as a shared activity rather than the roles being so divided.
Cathy Ranson, editor of ChannelMum.com said: “Like mother doesn’t necessarily mean like daughter. The survey shows modern mothers are being far more open, honest and sharing more about the ups and downs of parenting than their own mums were. But being honest can only bring the generations together, so we can all learn lessons from the past to take to the future.”
Bring it on I say…
