Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
AGATHOS: An International Review of the Humanities and Social Sciences, cilt.16, sa.2, ss.635-646, 2025 (ESCI)
This article examines the ways in which motherhood identities are
constructed on social media. With the increasing digitalization, individuals
present their selves and social roles on social media platforms. In this
process, which can be analyzed within the framework of Goffman‟s
dramaturgical approach, individuals construct identities by performing
idealized roles on a specific “stage” in accordance with the expectations of
their audience. Motherhood is also influenced by this process and is
represented in various forms on social media, bringing different motherhood
typologies to the forefront. The article defines the motherhood identities such
as tiger mom, alpha mom and wine mom in the literature, in additional to
them beige mom identity, which is increasingly widespread in social media.
The tiger mom prioritizes childrențs academic success with a strict and
demanding parenting style. The alpha mom strives for success in both her
child‟s and her own life, often pursuing unattainable perfection. The wine
mom adopts a humorous, sarcastic approach to the struggles of motherhood
but risks normalizing alcohol consumption. The beige mom, characterized by
minimalism, natural living, and neutral-toned aesthetics, promotes a specific
parenting ideal but may impose rigid lifestyle expectations. Each model
presents unique challenges for mothers, children, and families. This study has
established a theoretical framework by reviewing academic sources indexed
in the Web of Science database between 2020-2025, while also incorporating
an analysis of the beige mom identity, which has not yet been academically
examined in the context of social media. The aim of this article is to analyze
how motherhood identities are constructed on social media, how they are
shaped by societal expectations, and the impact these representations have on
women. The findings highlight that the romanticization of motherhood and
its portrayal within rigid frameworks on social media may create pressure on
mothers and reinforce traditional gender norms.