Each May 10Mexico celebrates the Mother’s day, A date deeply rooted in the national culture that pays tribute to millions of women. However, beyond the celebration with flowers, songs and food, this day also offers the opportunity to reflect on how motherhood has evolved in the country.
For decades, motherhood in Mexico was synonymous with self -denial, home upbringing and exclusive responsibility on daughters and sons. However, the recent data of the Inegi and Conapo They reveal that this traditional model has given way to new ways of exercising motherhood, in a country that faces a constant demographic and cultural transformation.
Maternity in Mexico no longer lives as before. More and more women are redefining what it means to be a mother, moving away from the traditional model of “mother, dad and children” to give way to new family forms, personal priorities and emotional ties, among which a growing trend stands out: the Perrhijos.
For decades, the mother’s figure was linked to the exclusive role of home care and parenting. However, social, economic and cultural changes have deeply transformed this paradigm. Today, many Mexican women decide to postpone or even give up biological motherhood, prioritizing their professional development, financial stability or emotional well -being.
In this context, since 2011 a term that today is part of everyday language began to be popular: Perrhijoused to describe a dog that is treated as a child, with the same care, affection and emotional relevance inside the home.
Half a century ago, the predominant maternity model was based on the traditional role of women as a housewife. The expectation was that women dedicate themselves full time and the raising of children. At that time, most He married young and had large families.
Today, Mexican motherhood is lived more diverse. Many women combine their role as mothers with professional careers, studies, ventures and personal projects.
The figure of the traditional mother now coexists with single mothers, heads of family, women who decide when and how many children have, and others who choose not to be mothers.
One of the most notorious changes is the sustained fall in the birth rate. According to official data, in 1995 there were approximately 26.87 births per thousand inhabitants in Mexico. By 2022, the figure was reduced to 14.64 births, which represents a decrease in more than 45 percent in 30 years.
-In addition, Mexican women have children at more advanced ages. If before the first pregnancy occurred between the ages of 20 and 22, today many do it between 27 and 30 years, motivated by their professional development, the search for economic stability or the desire to reach personal goals before forming a family.
Female participation in the labor market has also been a key factor in the transformation of the maternity. Las working mothers They face challenges such as conciliation between employment and parenting, limited access to nurseries and maternity licenses that, although guaranteed by law, are often insufficient or not respected.
This reality has generated new family dynamics, where care responsibilities begin to share more between men and women, although important challenges still persist in terms of equity.
Technological advances have allowed motherhood to be safer. Today, advanced ultrasound, genetic tests and prenatal monitoring provide greater control and prevention during pregnancy.
In addition, social access and social networks allow many women to inform themselves, exchange experiences and create support networks.
The Maternity in Mexico It is no longer understood as a unique model. Exist single mothers by choicewomen who resort to fertility treatments, same sex couples that raise childrenor women who choose not to be mothers and focus on other life projects. This diversity reflects a more open and conscious country that there is no single way of being a mother.
One of the most visible changes in Mexican motherhood is the decrease in births. In 2023, they registered More than 1.8 million birthswith one 52.2 rate per thousand women of fertile ageaccording to data from INEGI.
This figure contrasts with the 74.2 rate registered in 2014 and with the more than 2 million births previously projected by the National Population Council (CONAPO).
Even fertility has fallen significantly. While in 1997 Mexican women had an average 2.7 childrenby 2023 the figure fell to 1.6. This trend not only reflects a demographic change, but also cultural and economic.
