Episode 8: Do Movies Accurately Portray Motherhood?
Season 1, Episode 8
Do Movies Accurately Portray Motherhood?
Moms in Movies
This week on Mommy Has Questions, Cristina, Jamie, Jess, and Tiffany dive deep into the cultural narrative of motherhood on screen. From Night Bitch to Bluey, the group examines how media shapes our expectations, identities, and experiences as mothers. They explore why it took so long for films to reflect the real emotional and physical realities of parenting, and why so many depictions still feel hollow, idealized, or just plain wrong. The hosts share personal stories about media moments that missed the mark and the few that finally felt true—while unpacking the gender gaps behind the camera that are holding progress back. This episode is an open, honest, and layered look at how storytelling can either reinforce old roles or radically reshape them.
🗣️ What We Talk About:
The cultural significance of Night Bitch and why it hit a nerve for moms
How childbirth scenes in movies are often laughably unrealistic
How the male gaze has shaped the dominant narrative of motherhood in media
The loneliness and shame that can result from not seeing your truth reflected on screen
Historical portrayals of moms vs. emerging, more complex characterizations
The importance of female directors, producers and writers telling women’s stories
How movies don’t just reflect culture, but actively create it
What it means to confront cultural stereotypes about mothers before our daughters learn to perpetuate the same things
Representation of fathers and why Bluey might be the role model we didn’t know we needed
📚 References:
Nightbitch. Heller, Marielle, director. Performances by Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Snowden, and Emmett Snowden, Searchlight Pictures, 2024.
Tully. Reitman, Jason, director. Performances by Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, and Mark Duplass, Focus Features, 2018.
Nightbitch: A Novel. Yoder, Rachel. Doubleday, 2021.
“Edna Ferber.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Feb. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna_Ferber.
“Twentieth Century Women Writers.” Persephone Books, persephonebooks.co.uk/. Accessed 2 June 2025.
Lolly Willowes: Or, the Loving Huntsman. Warner, Sylvia Townsend. New York : New York Review Books, [1999]
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. 2021 Report on Parenting in Film & Television
Miss Representation. Newson, Jennifer Siebel, Director. The Representation Project, 2011.
Schitt's Creek. Levy, Eugene, et al. Lions Gate Entertainment, 2015-2020.
Minkin, R. Horowitz, J.M., Pew Research Center, Societal Expectations of Parents: A Gendered Analysis (2023)
Mary, S.M. Gendered Messages in Media and Their Impact on Youth Aspirations . Journal of Communication. (2020)
Gender & Society, The Representation of Motherhood in Popular Media (2022)
USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. The Impact of Women in Film & TV Production (2023)
“What Bluey, the Best Show on TV, Taught Me about Fatherhood.” Franklin-Wallis, Oliver. British GQ, British GQ, 5 Aug. 2022,
👯♀️ Meet Your Hosts:
Cristina Sansone – Public health pro turned full-time stay-at-home mom of three
Jamie Dennison – Corporate exec and mom of two
Jess Kahn Marks – Former engineer and mom of two
Tiffany Hodges – Writer, actor, filmmaker, and mom of one
🔗 Follow Along:
📬 Email your stories: hello@momsamongotherthings.com
📱 IG: @momsamongotherthings
🌐 Website: mommyhasquestions.com
🎧 Presented by: momsamongotherthings.com
📰 Substack: amongotherthingsnyc.substack.com
🔑 Keywords:
motherhood, media representation, Night Bitch, childbirth, women's stories, cultural expectations, motherhood portrayal, emotional experiences, motherhood challenges, female empowerment, gender roles, female directors, male perceptions, diversity, parenting, statistics, authentic storytelling, societal norms, involved fathers, cultural change, female-driven content
