Becoming a parent is a significant life transition, but for many women it can also be a time when connection and belonging are severely impacted.
Women, particularly single parents, can become vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation during the early years of raising children. The impact can be profound, with growing recognition that maternal loneliness is a serious public health issue.
To better understand these experiences, Women’s Agenda and Medibank have partnered to investigate the experiences of mothers during the early years of parenting.
Their research aims to shine a light on what women are experiencing behind closed doors, explore the systemic barriers that can contribute to isolation, and identify practical solutions to improve health, wellbeing and social connectedness.
A common experience for new mothers
The research found that loneliness is a common experience among mothers in the early years of parenting.
The Motherhood Connection survey found that 73% of mothers experience loneliness a few times a month.
The research also highlights the importance of meaningful friendships, supportive partners and strong communities in helping mothers manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Access to social infrastructure that creates opportunities for connection and support can play an important role in helping mothers maintain relationships and build a sense of belonging.
Where is the village?
The saying goes that it takes a village to raise a child. However, for many modern mothers, that village can feel increasingly difficult to find.
According to Medibank’s Beyond the Village report with Women’s Agenda, only 38% of mothers feel part of a ‘village’.
Similarly, research from Mum Walk found that 90% of mums felt lonely after giving birth.
Together, these findings highlight the scale of maternal loneliness and the need to recognise social connection as an important part of maternal wellbeing.
Building connection and community
Addressing maternal loneliness requires more than encouraging individual women to simply ‘find their village’. It also means considering whether communities, workplaces and social infrastructure provide meaningful opportunities for connection and support.
Creating stronger networks around new mothers can help reduce isolation and support better health and wellbeing outcomes.
The work by Women’s Agenda and Medibank highlights an important conversation: maternal loneliness should be recognised as a public health issue, and building stronger communities around mothers should be part of the solution.