The concept of mor/moder (mother) in Danish: Linguistic stereotype vs. current reality

Abstract

The traditional picture of mother (mor/moder) in Danish present in the most linguistically entrenched expressions does not differ much from the ones known from other European languages, such as Polish, Russian, or English. In its light mother is a person who gives her child an unconditioned love, care, and who is fully dedicated to her role, which, in turn, should bring her ultimate happiness and satisfaction. What is characteristic of Danish culture, however, is the modern-day tendency to revise this simplified picture. The mother-housewife stereotype is almost entirely gone from the system of the Danish language, and the same pertains to the belief that she has to be the wife of the father, as gender equality and the idea of open labor market have long resided at the top of the Danish hierarchy of values. Meanwhile, in contemporary Danish discourse, one breaks with other stereotypical elements of the traditional picture of the mother, and a more nuanced picture is being drawn, in an attempt to separate the ideal and the typical scenario more visibly. First and foremost, much writing space is given to the fact that the mother role requires hard work, and that it is not only connected with good feelings, but also anxiety, loneliness, or even depression. The traditional idealization of the concept itself, in turn, is valued very negatively, as one perceives it as the main source of unfair expectations towards mothers. Interestingly, this tendency seems to be common in the Danish mainstream media regardless of the political stances taken: it can be found both in the Christian Kristeligt Dagblad and the left-wing Information.