In the apocalyptic landscape of societal expectations, women have often been handed a script to play out roles predefined by the rulers of this world. Like zombies, they’re given boundaries within which to thrive, constrained by stereotypes enforced by societal norms.

Imagine being handed a role model as a young girl – perhaps a doll with a crib and pacifier, or a kitchen set adorned with various ingredients, all in cheerful shades of pink. These tokens symbolize the gentle mother and the seductive mistress, both boxes women are expected to fit into without protest.

And then comes the twisted narrative: they’re told that by conforming to these roles, they are somehow more mature than men. The hint of being ‘in print’ is there, but it’s wrapped in the enticing package of media campaigns, making it seem like a choice rather than coercion.

But wait, there’s more to this zombie apocalypse. The domino effect of social pressure kicks in, with girlfriends urging each other to follow suit. And amidst all this, there are those who defy the mold. They reject the script entirely – they don’t want children or a man to define them.

Now, let’s flip the script and inject some adrenaline into this narrative. Enter Élisabeth Badinter, wielding her intellectual machete to slay the myth of motherhood. She challenges the notion of an innate maternal instinct, debunking centuries-old beliefs resurrected in modern times.

Madame du Châtelet emerges as a beacon of resistance, defying societal expectations to pursue her passion for science in the face of patriarchal constraints. She stands as a testament to the resilience of women who refuse to be confined to narrow roles.

Meanwhile, Madame d’Épinay represents a shift towards the glorification of motherhood, as advocated by Rousseau. But even she, in her embrace of maternal duties, leaves behind a trail of questions about the true essence of motherhood and its historical evolution.

Badinter’s work, “The Myth of Motherhood,” serves as our survival guide in this zombie-infested landscape of gender expectations. Through meticulous research and incisive analysis, she exposes the cultural constructs that imprison women within the confines of motherhood.

So, to all the zombies out there clinging to outdated scripts, it’s time to wake up and smell the revolution. We’re slaying the myth of motherhood, reclaiming our agency, and rewriting our own narratives. Because in this battle for liberation, we refuse to be confined to anyone’s expectations. We are the survivors, the warriors, and together, we’ll pave the way to a future where women are free to define themselves on their own terms.