Pregnancy brain, mommy brain, and momnesia are terms commonly used to describe the experience of forgetfulness and disorganization experienced by mothers before and after giving birth.
The "mommy brain" notion has been a popular topic of discussion in recent years. Many believe motherhood leads to a decline in cognitive abilities, such as memory loss and forgetfulness.
However, researchers are challenging these terminologies as they could be misleading and discriminatory.
What is mommy brain?
According to The Atlantic, when women refer to "mom brain," they often refer to the feeling of being disorganized, forgetful, scattered, or distracted due to pregnancy or motherhood. This term is often used as an excuse or apology.
It is well-known that parenthood, particularly in the newborn stage, can lead to sleep deprivation, and as a result, forgetfulness or loss track of time and tasks can be a common side effect.
There is a common misconception that pregnancy and motherhood can cause a permanent decline in cognitive abilities, commonly referred to as "mommy brain." However, this idea is not supported by scientific evidence. Research has shown no direct causal link between motherhood and cognitive decline.
Mommy brain debunked
Many factors can contribute to temporary forgetfulness or distractions for new mothers, such as sleep deprivation, stress, and the general demands of parenting.
However, these challenges are not limited to mothers and can affect anyone. According to the New York Times, it is also important to note that motherhood can positively affect cognitive function, such as increased problem-solving skills, multitasking abilities, and emotional intelligence.
Being a mother can be very challenging. Mothers are often faced with unexpected challenges. However, they always find creative solutions to the problems at hand. They develop hypervigilance when caring for their offspring.
In addition, mothers get to be laser-focused too. Being a mother often requires juggling multiple tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children, and they can be seen handling all of it.
Using the term "mommy brain" perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces gender bias by implying that women and mothers are inherently less capable than others.
This can have real-life consequences, such as discrimination in the workplace and lower expectations for women's professional development and advancement.
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Studies behind the debunking of mommy brain
According to CNN, research has failed to find significant differences in cognitive abilities between mothers and women without children.
One possible reason for this lack of evidence is that many studies are performed in quiet and controlled lab environments, which may not accurately reflect mothers' real-life challenges.
In real life, mothers often face many tasks and distractions, such as screaming children and a never-ending list of responsibilities, which can affect their cognitive abilities.
However, in a lab's controlled environment, mothers can think and perform just as well as women without children.
Another possible reason for the lack of evidence is that the "mommy brain" idea may not be based on scientific fact but rather a cultural stereotype that expects women's cognitive abilities to decline after having children.
The occasional forgetfulness or slip of the mind in a busy and sleep-deprived mother may be quickly labeled as a "mommy brain" by society without considering the real challenges of motherhood.
Women may also use the term to cope with new motherhood difficulties and call for support.
