“What you have always thought you are, what you have spent your entire academic life achieving, can be significantly impacted through having children.”
Matrescence is not a word you hear every day, but today, on the show, Elizabeth chats with Gemma Mercer, an expert on the subject. Gemma defines matrescence as a woman’s transition from a woman to a mother. Although this may seem straightforward, the reality is much more complex and impactful for the woman and those around her. She believes everyone in a community, not just the mother, should know matrescence. She compares it to adolescence, when everything about a person changes and is affected, just as a child goes from their teenage years into adulthood. The transition of matrescence is no different.
Women today can strive for their goals and be whoever they want to be, but unfortunately, they do not have equal support. Many women find themselves as the primary caregiver, and this role is not supported in a world where masculine traits are valued and motherhood is not given the same recognition.
As a qualified matrescence support coach, Gemma mainly helps women navigate self-reflection and self-improvement during this life stage. She coaches and supports mothers through matrescence, and her goal is to help women transition from being a woman to becoming a mother. Additionally, she provides educational talks and works with HR departments, managers, and D&I teams to raise awareness of matrescence and its impact, and to help implement practical steps to support their staff. During coaching sessions, Gemma discusses what success and being a good mother mean to each woman and how these ideas often conflict, leading to confusion and conflict. Please stay tuned to get more insight!
Key Highlights
[00:00:01] Introduction to the guest and today’s topic
[00:01:18] What is matrescence?
[00:06:26] How Gemma got to know about matrescence, and she learned more about it
[00:10:21] Should matrescence be talked more about?
[00:13:14] Matrescence versus postnatal depression
[00:14:17] When does matrescence begin?
[00:15:57] Do fathers have their version of matrescence?
[00:17:45] How matrescence has affected Gemma personally
[00:20:07] Why matrescence should be taught in schools
[00:24:17] Policies that large companies should implement
[00:25:26] Does matrescence affect adoptive parents?
[00:26:52]How Gemma helps people
Notable Quotes
- It is important to recognise that, just as adolescents do, women need support as they transition to becoming moms. The world around us, our culture, and society aren’t necessarily geared up to support women with these changes.
- Having children can significantly impact what you have always thought you are and what you have spent your entire academic life achieving.
- As soon as you realise you’re going to be a parent, matrescence will affect you. And then the rest of your life, your identity changes, no matter how far into the motherhood or parenthood journey you go.
- We need to start looking at the humans behind the workplace, not just seeing the roles and responsibilities of that person. The human part then impacts how well that role is performed.
- There is now scientific evidence that our brains change. We’ve got MRI scans of adoptive parents affected by matrescence, even if they didn’t necessarily have to carry the baby. So, of course, this impacts every single person looking after a tiny human, which is really important for companies to be aware of as well.
Resources
Investing in Women Flexible Working Recruitment Website: Investing in Women
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To connect with Gemma:
LinkedIn: LinkedIn