Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood

When it comes to motherhood, journalist and author Grose (Soulmates) did everything according to plan. She was the socially acceptable ideal age, debt-free, and determined to succeed, yet even she found that “parenting cannot follow a recipe.” Grose takes a thought-provoking perusal of the history, science, and contemporary wisdom surrounding motherhood. From master laws and monetization to maternity leave and mental health, moms are often up against seemingly insurmountable stigmas and stereotypes, especially in the age of supermom social media influencers. Grose interviews additional women to provide a vast array of racial and socioeconomic viewpoints. Narrator Suehyla El-Attar gives such a heartfelt performance of this first-person nonfiction narrative that it is easy to forget it is not read by the author. The frustration and fervor with which Grose approaches the social and psychological barriers facing mothers is conveyed compellingly in El-Attar’s impassioned portrayal. The publisher provides a downloadable accompanying enhancement with acknowledgments and research sources.