THE MATERNAL STRESS PROJECT:
Exploring the stress of modern American motherhood, and what we can do about it.
Stress, a term that means everything and nothing
The term 'stress' is broad and poorly defined in both colloquial and clinical use. And even though we have accepted the impacts of stress on mental and physical health, the recommendations of stress reduction and management tend to fall on the individual without close scrutiny of what stress actually means in the context of their lives.
In order to effectively address stress, especially as it relates to women’s health, we need to start by acknowledging that most stressors experienced today relate to culture and society, systemic and structural issues. And addressing those stressors will require broad changes at all levels, beyond individual responsibility.
Mapping the stressor web
The Maternal Stress Project centers around identifying and understanding the effects of gendered stressors. The mapping process examines the stress related to motherhood, parenting, caregiving, and simply being a woman in modern America, with the goal of visualizing the complex interconnections at all stages of life.
Applying this new lens to the way we think about stress enables a more effective view on women’s health risks and opens additional avenues for opportunities in the context of preventive healthcare and improved wellbeing.
Phase 1 = Mapping
Phase one aims to establish an evidence bank and a base layer for the work ahead — focusing on research, writing, and in-depth conversations with experts to expand and test the map while defining and highlighting solutions and opportunities for impact.
Phase 2 = stay tuned!
Currently in early stages, phase two expands the work into application of the maternal stressor map. This phase revolves around partnership and collaborative projects examining the effects of and opportunities to decrease gendered stress in the home, in the workplace, and in the context of long-term health considerations for current medical practices.
If you have a project you are interested in exploring in this context, please reach out below.
Get in Touch.
Thoughts? Feedback? Partnership ideas? Reach out!