Is It True That Motherhood Is Contagious?
Do you want to know the answer to this question? The best answer we can give is that many studies confirm that a woman’s fertility positively influences the chances of her friends becoming mothers as well.
It is necessary to be aware that, currently, the decision to have children is influenced not only by the individual characteristics of each one and by the couple’s preferences. Nowadays, social networks that people are part of also come into play.
In fact, researchers consider that women whose friends became mothers became pregnant in the next two years, mainly due to the feeling of confidence and the desire for motherhood triggered.
Of course, motherhood is contagious. Especially between the first 12 and 23 months of a child’s life. This feeling then diminishes until it disappears completely after a child’s third birthday.
Why is motherhood contagious?
In addition to the biological clock, there are two other explanations. First, women who are frightened by the idea of being mothers may begin to feel this desire when they see their friends becoming mothers.
Secondly, from a social point of view, when, in a group of friends, some become mothers, it is possible that none of them want to feel abandoned. Because if that happens, you will be the only one in the group not to share this experience. And therefore, she would end up feeling a little out of place.
So, if the desire to have a child was already present, when a friend has a baby, it gives impetus to the motherhood project of others. It reassures and encourages others to go through the same experience.
Finally, it is also simpler to maintain the friendship relationship when raising children at the same time. This way, it is easier to live experiences in common and also allows children to be friends from an early age, from the very first steps literally.
What are the benefits of being a mother at the same time as your friends?
Being a mother at the same time as your friends can bring many benefits. In practice, friends can share experiences, which helps them to reduce the stress related to taking on an important new role.
To conclude, let’s look at a list of four benefits of being a mother while your friends are:
1.- A future friend for your baby
Many children are born without having a playmate. That’s why it’s a great advantage to have children of the same age around. The fact of having children at the same time will make the meetings between friends become almost a children’s party.
2.- Share experiences
When a woman shares the news of her pregnancy with her friends, some women who have already had children want to relive those moments.
If not, the feeling that mothers express when they tell the news about the pregnancy motivates the women around them to also want to live this experience.
3.- Dispel fears and insecurities
Generally, women fear pregnancy and the responsibilities they will assume after the birth of a child. If you are pregnant at the same time as your friend, you can share fears, doubts, and anxieties in order to strengthen your sense of security.
4.- A similar lifestyle
Many expectant mothers feel motivated when a friend changes their lifestyle by the birth of a child.
When you have a pregnant friend and you also decide to have a child, you will be able to live together many moments that will strengthen the bond, besides being able to maintain a similar lifestyle.
In short, having a child is a huge uncertainty, in social and economic terms. Therefore, living this experience in the company of a friend transforms the unknown into a shared experience.
As you can see, motherhood is contagious . So if you have a friend who’s pregnant and you’re not, chances are you’ll be next!
