What to Expect survey notes generational differences, similarities and a longing to be a great mother

By Lois M. Collins

Moms with young children are feeling a lot of pressure. In a new poll, 8 in 10 say it’s important to be “perfect” in their parenting role. But when you break it down, there’s a generational divide: Gen Z moms and millennials moms are very different on some key measures. And their goals aren’t the same, either.

A new What to Expect poll finds that 83% of Gen Z moms, who are ages 18 to 26, strive for their view of perfection. And 77% of millennial moms — who are 27 to 41 — think they need to be perfect, too, though how they define that varies.

Gen Z moms put the most pressure on themselves and fewer of them are confident in themselves as mothers (70%), compared to millennial moms (77%), according to the new report.

The poll included 3,232 U.S. women ages 18-54 who were either pregnant or who have at least one child age 8 or younger.

The poll was conducted by Everyday Health Group, the parent company of What to Expect, an online pregnancy and parenting resource. The mobile app and website are produced by Heidi Murkoff, author of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” along with medical and other experts. Company media relations manager Matthew Orsini said the content is continuously updated and reviewed by a medical review board and pregnancy and parenting health experts.

The poll asked the women about 26 different parenting ideals and how they define the perfect mom.

Gen Z moms were more intent on accomplishing 11 goals, compared to the older group of mothers. Those included keeping kids busy with activities, ensuring tech-free time, being open to letting kids explore their own identity and putting family first ahead of their own needs or wants, among others. Seven in 10 of them say they want to teach their offspring to be “accepting of all.”

https://www.deseret.com/2023/2/3/23579856/gen-z-millennial-women-in-what-to-expect-poll-seek-to-be-perfect-mom