Types of motherhood: different challenges, same affections

When we talk about motherhood, our minds almost immediately think of the classic conventionality of a couple between a man and a woman who, at a given moment, decides to "take the leap" in search of that first child. However, we all know that the act of being a mother comes in many different ways, at different times and in different conditions that go far beyond what, average, we tend to see more often.

In view of the fact that there is very little to let's celebrate mother's day, from our space we want to invite you to reflect with us on the different types of motherhood. Because every woman is very free when it comes to deciding how and in what way she is going to bring that child into the world, and how she is going to decide to educate him. And all of them, whatever their situation, their religion or their sexual orientation, will undoubtedly love that desired creature as part of themselves; hence, our tribute.

Types of maternity, different options same darling

Lonely motherhood, single parent families

According to Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) each year about 1.500 women choose assisted fertility techniques to become mothers. To this, as is normal, we can add the cases of women who, after having had a sexual partner, also choose to face motherhood alone, as well as those who choose adoption or who simply have to face raising children alone for the loss or abandonment of the partner.

Be that as it may, facing the raising of a child alone is a challenge for which, a great emotional and personal cost is invested where social institutions should undoubtedly provide greater support for these cases. Despite this, every mother who is in this situation lives fully and this situation, especially if she has been chosen.

• From the page "single mothers by choice»They provide us with great help in terms of information and resources that we can have if we are living this reality. It should also be said that with regard to adoptions, it seems that this option is increasingly on the rise.

It usually occurs especially in women with an average age of 42 years who have adequate economic independence, and who want this type of option when it comes to being mothers. Generally, most of these adoptions are international and take an average of a year and a half to be effective.

However a woman has chosen to carry out motherhood alone, the biggest problems she may encounter are the following:

• Stress due to the burden of responsibilities.
• Problems between work-life balance and family life.
• Many women may suffer some discrimination and misunderstanding in their work environments when it comes to promoting their jobs. Due to his responsibility to his children, many of his professional perspectives are limited.
• Another fact to take into account is the reference to the children of single mothers. It is common that when the time comes, they are restless and interested in knowing about their father, or those roots that every adopted child usually presents at some time.

Homoparental family

Homoparental families (those where a couple of men or women are the parents of one or more children) have increased significantly in recent years thanks to new laws allowing same-sex marriages, and consequently , your right to start a family.

• In Spain there are data on how homoparental families between two women are superior those of two men thanks to fertility and in vitro fertilization techniques. Men must resort to so-called "surrogacy", an option that is not yet regulated in many countries and where there are still serious loopholes and complications.

However, It should be said that this type of motherhood is relatively recent: in January 2008, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that same-sex couples have the right to adopt or have children if they so wish.

If someone wonders about the effects of raising a child by two people of the same sex, it must be said that the studies carried out in this regard are clear:

• According to "American Psychological Association«, The parenting skills of lesbian mothers and gay fathers are often superior to those of equivalent heterosexual parents.
• Homosexual families enhance the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of children, being undoubtedly just as enriching bonds as those provided by any heterosexual couple who love and care about their children.

Regarding the difficulties that homoparental couples usually face, they are undoubtedly multiple and very complex:

• Social rejection by many groups continues to be present and constant.
• SThere is still some discrimination on the part of the administrations, as well as in some educational centers (especially Catholic ones) where this type of "family" is conceived for us.
• Note that it is also common for children raised by homoparental families to suffer some rejection by schoolmates.
• Sometimes, homoparental families do not have the support of 100% of all their relatives.

Motherhood at an early age and motherhood at a mature age

Motherhood does not always come at the right time, it is more It may also be that by the time we want to be mothers, our body is no longer so fertile and we are forced to turn to science to respond to a need that arrives at the most necessary and appropriate moment.

Everything is equally valid as long as that child is desired. Now we know that children sometimes reach very young ages, at a time when we have not yet matured emotionally and personally. Motherhood in adolescence is sometimes something traumatic that forces that girl to assume a role for which she is not yet ready.

• However, many of these experiences later turn into a wonderful time of personal growth that few women regret. However, this adolescent mother will undoubtedly need adequate family and institutional support with which to better cope with raising her child.
• What concerns to motherhood arrived in more mature timesDespite the risks involved, few things are certainly as desired. It is a phenomenon that we see more normally every day. In these societies that are so inharmonious with upbringing and motherhood, women must first train professionally to reach that personal stability and inexpensive that does not always fit "its natural cycle."
• Therefore, when the time comes, she decides to take the step and be a mother. A wonderful adventure that will undoubtedly live with the same intensity and enjoyment as any other woman.

To conclude, as we can see there are many types of motherhood. All equally valid, all respectable, and all exciting. The only thing that these types of options and situations need is our respect, our admiration and, without a doubt, greater support from the institutions so that raising a child is not a challenge full of difficulties, without or a respectful scenario where there is conciliation and equal opportunities.