The culture of mummy needs wine is a rising concern because of the age-old societal stereotype tainted with white privilege.
While drunken white mothers are seen as standard, the same is not applied to women of color.
In this article, we will be looking at 7 reasons why women should avoid the culture of “Mummy needs Wine”, wine quotes from experts, and why it is not suitable for society as a whole.
1. Grounds for blatant racism
The normalization of mothers drinking wine has led to a rise in toxic racism towards women of color.
While they have created the idea of normalcy for drunken mothers, it still poses a threat to women of color who also drink.
So how’s it okay for white women to be publicly accepted when they drink, but the same outlook is not applied to women of color?
The reason behind this is white privilege.
According to an article by Stephanie Linning in the Daily Mail, drunken white mothers are seen as harmless. In contrast, mothers of color in the same scenario are treated as immoral and typically reported to social services.
| According to Isis Daniel, there are only two reasons why women should not crave the “wine mom culture“ if they are under the legal drinking age or drink to excess. It is not her desire nor right to regulate a person’s desire for a glass of wine. If it were, why not regulate men’s desire to have a cold beer after a long workday? Again, she promotes and strongly encourages the legal and responsible consumption of alcohol, whether you are a man, woman, or non-binary person. |
Looking at a much bigger audience, you can see this kind of blatant racism in politics as well.
According to a new report, female candidates running for a place in office were subject to a lot of gender bias even though men weren’t involved in the race.
Within this bias are women of color, who are less likely to be seen as viable candidates than white women running the elections.
2. The need for toxic social media validations
Wine statistics show that 59% of wine consumers in America are women.
Slogans like “wine mom culture to make it through motherhood” are popularized through pop culture, making it an “acceptable” lifestyle for many mothers.
The ever-trendy social media validation has conditioned mothers to think that they “need” to drink to get through the day as a mother.
With the popularity of wineries, companies are mass-producing products that encourage wine-drinking culture, like wine purses and free-standing wine fridges, which all are marketed towards women.
3. Being shunned by society
Research shows the tendency for women of color to be objectified compared to other races.
Further, Vox reports show that black girls are not seen as innocent and don’t need protection from external harm.
They are also seen in a negative light when they voice their opinions.
Rachelle Sherburne, a clinical social worker, mentions that if ever society came across a group of colored mothers sitting together at brunch, with their babies by their sides and drinking in broad daylight, child protective services were likely to be called. In contrast, the same scenario with white mothers is brushed off as the most normal thing to see.
4. Associating alcohol with positive thoughts
It is a classic case of conditioning where the brain associates all the good times with wine, so the thought process becomes, “the more the wine, the more the fun.”
Many factors contribute to this, including world political leaders like Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who organized “WINE TIME FRIDAYS.” This was solely arranged to drink to “let off steam.” The popularity of this event even led to the excessive purchase of wine from supermarkets. Shopkeepers even started delivering wine coolers to homes.
5. Changing attitude towards alcohol use
It’s not the end of the world to drink alcohol at social gatherings, but there is a stark distinction between the idea of alcohol being a critical need and an appropriate need.
Binge drinking among mothers is experiencing an upward trend. What was once a mere 17% of mothers who admitted to binge drinking, according to a study in 2018, the number rose to 44%.
| According to Gloria Vallès, wine is part of our culture, and it has to be drunk in moderation for a healthy lifestyle. No one “needs” wine; we “want” to have it for certain reasons such as enjoying a good meal with friends and family. We have to communicate the importance of having wine in a positive context, served with food, and consumed in moderation. Wine is not what we need when we feel overwhelmed, is what we have when we want to celebrate life, friendship, and love. Our kids need to learn the importance of differentiating between “drinking alcohol” and “sharing wine with friends and family.” Mums and Dads (why are we talking just about Mums?) are role models for kids, so we must do (not just say, but do it) what we would like them to do in the future.” |
The problem arises because of the blurry line that separates alcohol as an optional item or an absolute need.
6. Failing support system for women and mothers
Motherhood can indeed be as equally exhausting as rewarding, so it’s easy for mothers to get sucked into binge drinking.
In a survey conducted by The Today Show, at least 40% of mothers admitted that they would have a glass of wine to deal with stress.
If the mothers in question aren’t receiving the support they deserve for all the hard work, it becomes easy to think that when there’s no one with them, there’s alcohol to keep them company.
| According to Ginasommelier, Wine is art. Wine is bottled poetry. Wine means the work of many people inside a glass. Wine is not a need, is a luxurious gift. Mommies do not need wine. Mommies should learn to sit down, take a deep breath and enjoy a glass meanwhile the baby sleeps. Being a mommy is also an art and a gift. Enjoy it along with a sip! |
7. Path to alcoholism
The global wine market value is estimated at 513 billion dollars. Restaurants, wineries, hotels, and homes have been significant contributors to this rise in wine consumption.
| Melanie Ofenloch Editor of Dallas Wine Chick says that the culture of Mummy Needs Wine is damaging to our kids. It shows that moms must self-medicate with alcohol to cope with parenthood since moms set an example for their children, and this behavior can have negative consequences. Having a glass of wine or sharing a bottle should be done for enjoyment versus as a coping mechanism. Our kids learn to mirror the actions we take and they deserve better. |
A common misconception is that people think there are only two classes of alcoholism- those who can’t control it and those who can.
However, a whole section in the middle isn’t raging alcoholics but experiences similar after-effects.
They go through hangovers, spend money on alcohol, and experience anxiety and depression and the embarrassment that comes from this.
Every drunken story turns into a hilarious story to share with friends and family. In reality, mothers drown in anxiety and depression from loneliness and sometimes disgust at their actions.
Conclusion
The double standard that society places on mothers drinking wine is the primary reason why the wine culture of “mummy needs wine” needs to be eliminated from society.
While motherhood is already a full-time task, some mothers have to deal with work stress, relationship stress, and trying to reach societal demands.
This is what drives them to think that the only way to unwind is to drink a glass of wine that is basically “harmless,” or they have tricked their minds into believing.
Luckily, many wineries are now producing non-alcoholic wines or natural wines, which are the best wine alternatives, without adverse effects.
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