Exploring Maternal Guilt and Shame in Iceland's Gender Equality Context

Iceland, 2024

This study delves into the emotions of guilt and shame experienced by mothers in Iceland, a country known for its gender equality.

Key insights include:

Feelings of Guilt and Shame

Mothers frequently experience guilt and shame related to working long hours and arranging childcare, as well as not being fully present for their children. These emotions are significantly more pronounced in mothers than fathers.

Cultural Expectations

The study highlights the enduring cultural expectation that mothers should be the primary caregivers, which contributes to these feelings of guilt and shame.

Impact of Intensive Mothering

The ethos of intensive mothering pressures mothers to feel guilty about everyday tasks like working, cleaning, studying, and even attending to their own needs, suggesting that societal norms place undue burden on mothers.

Gender Equality Concerns

Despite Iceland's reputation for gender equality, these findings indicate that traditional gender roles persist, potentially undermining the progress made by the Nordic welfare state.

Re-evaluating Support Structures

The perception of preschools and other childcare institutions as inferior to maternal care highlights a need for societal and institutional support that values and supports both parents' roles equally.

These insights emphasize the importance of addressing societal expectations and providing support to working mothers to alleviate feelings of guilt and shame.