Representations of motherhood on social media: The stress of unrealistic perfectionism

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.