Meghan Markle and Geena Davis have joined forces to shed light on the representation of mothers on television. A recent report released by non-profit Moms First, a part of Markle and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation, in collaboration with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, has revealed some concerning trends in the portrayal of TV moms.
The data shows that while there has been an increase in diversity among TV moms, the majority still tend to be white, young, and thin. These characters often fall into stereotypes, such as being portrayed as low earners in the family. The study also highlighted that only 10 percent of TV parents have a messy home, with most appearing impeccably clean despite minimal on-screen cleaning scenes.
Furthermore, TV moms are typically depicted as attractive, well-groomed, and put together. They are shown exercising regularly, sporting perfect hairstyles, and wearing full makeup. Only a small percentage of TV parents with young children make any reference to childcare in their storylines.
Geena Davis expressed surprise at the outdated portrayal of motherhood in current TV shows, emphasizing the need for more accurate and modern representations. She highlighted the significant impact that on-screen characters can have on shaping societal perceptions.
Meghan Markle, drawing from her experiences as an actress, producer, and mother, stressed the importance of supporting women and mothers both in front of and behind the camera. She emphasized the need for true representation in media content and expressed her commitment to this cause through the Archewell Foundation.
Davis, who has been advocating for gender equality in media since 2004, praised Markle and Archewell for their involvement in addressing these issues. She underscored the importance of financial support in driving meaningful change in the entertainment industry.
Both Markle and Davis are passionate about challenging stereotypes and promoting more diverse and authentic portrayals of motherhood on television. Their collaboration aims to raise awareness and inspire positive change in how mothers are depicted in the media.
