Negotiating Mental Loads, Gender Norms, and Societal Expectations: How Working Mothers in Singapore Solicit Support over Reddit

Faced with the multifaceted challenges of modern motherhood, more women are gravitating toward online forums such as Reddit to seek support. The inherent anonymity of such platforms helps to create safe virtual spaces where women can openly share their concerns and participate in dialogues about sensitive topics without the burden of judgment or stigma. This book chapter delves into the exchanges that populate these digital spaces to offer fresh insights into the collective work-life experiences of working mothers in Singapore as they navigate the challenges of balancing their professional and familial roles. A thematic analysis of 10 most related discussion threads sourced from 2 Singapore-focused subreddit communities was conducted. The uneven distribution of mental load of mothers to the dilemmas, conflicts, and societal judgements around full-time working parenthood and outsourcing childcare to others emerged as salient themes. Overall, our findings reveal the stubborn influence of traditional gender norms and unrealistic societal expectations placed on working parents, especially mothers, in Singapore. Nevertheless, there is clear evidence of peer affirmation and digitally enabled solidarity that demonstrates the social shaping of these digital domains as virtual circles of support.