Mothers: Unseen strength of society

As Mother’s Day is observed across the world on 10 May, families in Bangladesh are also joining the global occasion with flowers, greetings, social media tributes and family gatherings.

Yet behind the cheerful celebrations lies a deeper and more complex reality that speaks of sacrifice, loneliness, resilience and unconditional love that often goes unnoticed in everyday life.

In Bangladesh, mothers have long been regarded as the emotional foundation of the family. From raising children with limited resources to carrying the burdens of household responsibilities, many women spend their entire lives placing the needs of others before their own.

Their contribution, though immense, is frequently treated as a social expectation rather than recognised labour.

Even in a rapidly modernising society, motherhood continues to carry silent struggles that rarely become part of public conversation.

For 58-year-old Nasima Begum of Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area, Mother’s Day now arrives with mixed emotions. Her son lives in Canada while her daughter works in Chattogram. Though they speak regularly over video calls, she admits the house feels painfully empty most days.

“When the children were young, the house was always full of noise,” she said while arranging old family photographs in her drawing room. “Now they are successful in life, and that gives me peace. But sometimes the silence becomes difficult.”

Her experience reflects a growing social reality in urban Bangladesh, where migration, career demands and changing lifestyles are reshaping traditional family structures. Joint families are gradually disappearing, replaced by smaller nuclear households that often leave elderly parents emotionally isolated.

Sociologists say this transformation is changing the role of mothers within society itself.
Dr Samia Rahman, a sociologist based in Dhaka, believes many mothers are celebrated symbolically but overlooked emotionally.

“In South Asian societies, mothers are often idealised as figures of endless sacrifice,” she said. “But we rarely ask about their emotional wellbeing, personal identity or mental exhaustion. Society praises mothers for giving everything, yet gives very little space for them to express vulnerability.”

The changing realities of modern life have also intensified the pressures on working mothers.
Across Bangladesh, thousands of women now balance careers, childcare, elderly family responsibilities and household management simultaneously. Despite greater participation in the workforce, domestic responsibilities still fall disproportionately on women.

For schoolteacher Farzana Akter, every day begins before dawn. Between preparing meals, taking her daughter to school and managing classes, she finds almost no time for herself.

“There is constant pressure to be perfect everywhere – at work and at home,” she said. “If a mother becomes tired or frustrated, society quickly judges her.”

Experts say such expectations create immense emotional strain for many women. Psychologists warn that mothers often suppress stress and anxiety because of cultural norms that associate motherhood with endless patience and sacrifice.

Clinical psychologist Tahmina Sultana notes that emotional burnout among mothers is becoming increasingly common, particularly in urban areas.

“Many women feel guilty even for wanting rest,” she explained. “Mothers are expected to keep giving emotionally and physically without complaint. Over time, this affects mental health, relationships and self-worth.”

In rural Bangladesh, motherhood comes with different challenges but equally demanding responsibilities. Women in villages often contribute directly to agriculture and household income while simultaneously caring for children and elderly family members.

In the flood-prone district of Gaibandha, 40-year-old Rokeya Khatun spends long hours working both inside and outside the home. During monsoon seasons, survival itself becomes a daily struggle.
“There are times when we eat less so the children can eat properly,” she said. “A mother learns to endure many things quietly.”

Such stories remain common across the country, where countless mothers continue to make invisible sacrifices for their families’ survival and future.

Yet despite their contributions, many women say appreciation often remains limited to ceremonial gestures.

Over recent years, Mother’s Day celebrations in Bangladesh have become increasingly commercialised, especially in urban centres. Restaurants offer special discounts, online platforms promote gift campaigns and social media becomes flooded with emotional posts and photographs.

While these gestures reflect affection, social observers believe genuine respect for mothers must go beyond one-day observances.

Cultural analyst Rezaul Karim says the true value of motherhood cannot be measured through annual celebrations alone.

“Respect for mothers should be reflected in everyday behaviour,” he said. “Spending time with them, listening to them, sharing responsibilities and ensuring their dignity in old age matter far more than symbolic tributes.”

Many younger Bangladeshis are now beginning to rethink traditional ideas surrounding parenting and caregiving. Conversations around mental health, work-life balance and shared domestic responsibilities are becoming more visible among educated urban families.

University student Sadia Islam says she only began understanding her mother’s sacrifices after leaving home for higher studies.

“When you grow up, you slowly realise how much mothers silently give up,” she said. “My mother sacrificed her personal dreams to support our education and future.”

This quiet surrender of personal ambition is a familiar reality for many women in Bangladesh. Mothers often place the needs of children and family ahead of their own education, careers, health and aspirations.

At the same time, social inequality continues to affect vulnerable mothers differently. Single mothers, widowed women and financially struggling mothers frequently face discrimination and insecurity. Elderly mothers without family support remain particularly vulnerable to emotional neglect.

Rights activists argue that motherhood should not be romanticised in ways that erase women’s individuality and personal needs.

“A mother is not only a caregiver,” said women’s rights advocate Sharmeen Hossain. “She is also a human being with dreams, fears, emotions and rights of her own.”

As Bangladesh continues to evolve socially and economically, the conversation around motherhood is also gradually changing. More families are beginning to acknowledge the importance of emotional support, shared parenting and respect for women’s unpaid labour.

Still, much remains to be done.
On this Mother’s Day, perhaps the most meaningful tribute lies not in flowers or carefully written online captions, but in recognising the everyday realities mothers continue to face. Their strength is often quiet, their sacrifices mostly invisible and their emotional burdens deeply personal.