Rosjke Hasseldine

I’ve been watching Away, a new Netflix series starring Hilary Swank as Commander Emma Green who leaves her teenage daughter and husband for a three-year mission to Mars. The series highlights many themes, but the one I’d like to explore is: Are mothers as free as fathers to prioritize their career goals?

We all know that conflict between a husband and wife affects the entire family, and that children of all ages are deeply impacted when their parents fight. What isn’t widely known is how parental conflict can cause conflict between a mother and daughter.

History has long elevated men’s voices and achievements over women’s voices and achievements, and the psychotherapy profession is no exception.

Anger is a common and often misunderstood emotion between mothers and daughters. In my therapy work with mothers and daughters, I hear how deeply angry mothers and daughters of all ages can be with each other, how intensely hurt they feel when they don’t feel heard, understood, or valued.

Systemic sexism has re-emerged into the collective consciousness and global conversation since the #MeToo and #BelieveHer movements came into existence.