{"id":444683,"date":"2026-07-10T15:25:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:25:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=444683"},"modified":"2026-07-10T15:25:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T13:25:42","slug":"societe-peur-femmes-intelligentes-elle-denonce-injonctions-faites-meres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/society-fears-intelligent-women-she-denounces-the-injunctions-imposed-on-mothers-444683","title":{"rendered":"&quot;Society is afraid of intelligent women&quot;: she denounces the pressures placed on mothers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Motherhood is often portrayed as pure bliss, leaving no room for doubt or fatigue. For Ashley James, this idealized vision prevents us from discussing the realities experienced by many women. In an interview with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenshealthmag.com\/uk\/healthy-mums\/a71567552\/ashley-james-womens-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s1\">Women&#39;s Health UK<\/span><\/a> magazine, the British presenter and author calls for women to speak out and challenge the expectations placed on mothers.<\/p>\n<h2> Speech as an act of freedom<\/h2>\n<p> Ashley James is convinced that speaking out can change mindsets. According to her, <em>&quot;exchanges between women allow us to deconstruct deeply ingrained ideas,&quot;<\/em> whether they concern body image, motherhood, or persistent inequalities. She believes that <em>&quot;women who dare to express their opinions or challenge established rules still cause a stir.&quot;<\/em> In her view, <em>&quot;a society that values women who are free to think and express themselves more would also be a more just society.&quot;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2> A maternity ward far removed from clich\u00e9s<\/h2>\n<p> One of the topics closest to her heart remains motherhood. A mother of two, Ashley James regrets that <em>&quot;this stage of life is still too often described as an exclusively fulfilling experience.&quot;<\/em> For her, talking about fatigue, difficulties, or conflicting emotions should never be perceived as a lack of love for one&#39;s children. On the contrary, speaking openly would allow expectant mothers to approach this adventure with more realistic expectations and less guilt. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DYiAdAOjDXk\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\"> View this post on Instagram <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"> <a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DYiAdAOjDXk\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Ashley James (@ashleylouisejames)<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2> Expectations impossible to meet<\/h2>\n<p> Ashley James also denounces <em>&quot;the many demands placed on mothers.&quot;<\/em> They are encouraged to manage everything, to be present on all fronts, and to project an image of perfection. Yet, as soon as they express a need for support or a difficulty, they can be quickly judged. This constant pressure fuels a sense of guilt that weighs heavily on many women. For Ashley James, <em>&quot;it&#39;s time to accept that there is no such thing as a perfect mother, only different paths, all worthy of respect.&quot;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2> Break the labels<\/h2>\n<p> This commitment is not new. In her book &quot;Bimbo,&quot; Ashley James already tackled the stereotypes that confine women to rigid categories. Labels like &quot;bossy&quot; or &quot;spinster,&quot; she argues, contribute to limiting their freedom and influencing how they are perceived. Through her own journey, she encourages every woman to break free from these labels and build her own identity without trying to meet the expectations of others.<\/p>\n<p>In this book, Ashley James also reveals that she was raped as a student. By sharing her story, she explains that she received numerous testimonies from other victims, exchanges she considers essential. For her, <em>&quot;silence primarily protects the perpetrators.&quot;<\/em> By speaking out, victims can feel less isolated and help to reduce the shame that still surrounds this violence.<\/p>\n<h2> A call for more sincere exchanges<\/h2>\n<p> Beyond her own personal journey, Ashley James champions a simple idea: <em>&quot;honest conversations can change perspectives.&quot;<\/em> Whether it&#39;s about motherhood, mental health, self-image, or violence, she encourages people to speak out without fear of judgment.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, Ashley James&#39;s message reminds us that expressing emotions, sharing experiences, and questioning norms are not signs of weakness. On the contrary, these voices contribute to building a more open society, where every woman can live her life in her own way, without having to conform to a single model.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Motherhood is often portrayed as pure bliss, leaving no room for doubt or fatigue. For Ashley James, this...","protected":false},"author":8385,"featured_media":444684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6139],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-444683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vie-de-maman"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/La-societe-a-peur-des-femmes-intelligentes_-_-elle-denonce-les-injonctions-faites-aux-meres-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/La-societe-a-peur-des-femmes-intelligentes_-_-elle-denonce-les-injonctions-faites-aux-meres-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/La-societe-a-peur-des-femmes-intelligentes_-_-elle-denonce-les-injonctions-faites-aux-meres.jpg","author":{"name":"Julia Perez","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/cropped-julia_perez-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":6139,"name":"Parenting","slug":"vie-de-maman","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6311,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Parenting section of The Body Optimist supports moms, dads and every kind of family through everyday life with kids: raising children, emotions, school, relationships and the mental load. Advice from child development professionals, explainers and personal stories approach parenting without guilt, whatever your family looks like.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Parenting section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Raising kids<\/strong>: teaching children to share, setting limits without yelling, praising effort over intelligence, with ideas drawn from positive parenting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>School and bullying<\/strong>: helping your child feel good at school, spotting the signs of bullying and knowing how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Postpartum for both parents<\/strong>: your body after birth, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/sleep-deprivation-fatigue-loneliness-the-reality-of-young-mothers-433661\">exhaustion and loneliness of new mothers<\/a>, and postpartum depression in fathers, still too little known.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All kinds of families<\/strong>: single-parent, blended and same-sex parent families, parents with disabilities, with more stories in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Family relationships<\/strong>: your bond with your own parents, toxic families, overbearing grandparents, sibling rivalry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Life choices<\/strong>: wanting children, or not, discussed without judgment or social pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you set limits for your child without yelling?<\/h2>\n<p>Setting boundaries without yelling relies on clarity and consistency more than strictness. Keep instructions short and positive (\u201cwe walk in the hallway\u201d rather than \u201cdon\u2019t run\u201d), get down to your child\u2019s eye level and look at them. Announce transitions ahead of time to head off meltdowns when an activity ends. Name your child\u2019s feeling without giving in on the rule: \u201cYou\u2019re angry because the screen is turning off. I get it, and it\u2019s bath time.\u201d When tension rises, stepping out of the room for a few seconds beats raising your voice. Some parents even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/giving-orders-to-a-singing-child-an-unusual-trick-to-avoid-shouting-428727\">sing their instructions<\/a> to keep things light. No parent is perfect: apologizing after you lose your temper also teaches your child how to repair a relationship.<\/p>\n<h2>Our take on parenting<\/h2>\n<p>Parenting doesn\u2019t rest on mothers alone: we also talk about dads, co-parents, blended, single-parent and LGBTQ+ families, and people who choose not to have children. There\u2019s no single model or \u201cperfect mom\u201d here: our articles share guidance without making anyone feel guilty. For any concern about a child\u2019s health or development, your pediatrician, family doctor or a child psychologist remains the best person to ask.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/top-phrases-help-children-express-emotions-444372\">What to say instead of \u201cstop crying\u201d<\/a>: five phrases that help children express their emotions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/monster-under-the-bed-really-means-childhood-fear-428271\">The monster under the bed<\/a>: what this classic childhood fear really means and how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/eldest-daughter-syndrome-confirmed-by-science-study-reigniting-debate-430888\">Eldest daughter syndrome<\/a>: what research says about the responsibilities often placed on firstborn girls.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/be-a-mother-but-stay-slim-she-breaks-the-silence-pressure-weighs-on-young-mothers-432933\">The pressure to \u201cbounce back\u201d after birth<\/a>: one mother speaks out against the demand to stay thin.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/you-post-pictures-of-children-on-social-media-heres-something-you-probably-dont-know-428755\">Posting photos of your kids online<\/a>: what to know before you share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Can fathers get postpartum depression?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Some fathers go through sadness, irritability or anxiety after a baby arrives, sometimes called the \u201cdaddy blues.\u201d When these symptoms last for several weeks, it may be paternal postpartum depression, a condition recognized by health professionals. Intense fatigue, feeling useless or withdrawing from others are warning signs: talking to a doctor is the first step toward getting support.<\/p>\n<h3>What is positive parenting?<\/h3>\n<p>Positive parenting, close to what is often called gentle parenting, guides children through listening, explanation and encouragement rather than punishment, yelling or humiliation. It isn\u2019t the same as being permissive: rules still exist, but they\u2019re set with respect. A growing number of countries have also banned corporal punishment of children, spanking included.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you tell if your child is being bullied at school?<\/h3>\n<p>Several signs can raise concern: refusing to go to school, repeated stomachaches or headaches in the morning, slipping grades, damaged or missing belongings, isolation, trouble sleeping, mood changes after using their phone. Start the conversation calmly, without dramatizing, then contact the school. Many countries also have helplines dedicated to bullying and cyberbullying.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a> on emotions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> to find your footing again after a baby arrives, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\">Body positive<\/a> to see your body with kindness, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sante\/grossesse\">Pregnancy<\/a> for the months before birth.<\/p>","parent":6138,"count":705,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6139,"category_count":705,"category_description":"<p>The Parenting section of The Body Optimist supports moms, dads and every kind of family through everyday life with kids: raising children, emotions, school, relationships and the mental load. Advice from child development professionals, explainers and personal stories approach parenting without guilt, whatever your family looks like.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Parenting section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Raising kids<\/strong>: teaching children to share, setting limits without yelling, praising effort over intelligence, with ideas drawn from positive parenting.<\/li>\n<li><strong>School and bullying<\/strong>: helping your child feel good at school, spotting the signs of bullying and knowing how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Postpartum for both parents<\/strong>: your body after birth, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/sleep-deprivation-fatigue-loneliness-the-reality-of-young-mothers-433661\">exhaustion and loneliness of new mothers<\/a>, and postpartum depression in fathers, still too little known.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All kinds of families<\/strong>: single-parent, blended and same-sex parent families, parents with disabilities, with more stories in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Family relationships<\/strong>: your bond with your own parents, toxic families, overbearing grandparents, sibling rivalry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Life choices<\/strong>: wanting children, or not, discussed without judgment or social pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you set limits for your child without yelling?<\/h2>\n<p>Setting boundaries without yelling relies on clarity and consistency more than strictness. Keep instructions short and positive (\u201cwe walk in the hallway\u201d rather than \u201cdon\u2019t run\u201d), get down to your child\u2019s eye level and look at them. Announce transitions ahead of time to head off meltdowns when an activity ends. Name your child\u2019s feeling without giving in on the rule: \u201cYou\u2019re angry because the screen is turning off. I get it, and it\u2019s bath time.\u201d When tension rises, stepping out of the room for a few seconds beats raising your voice. Some parents even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/giving-orders-to-a-singing-child-an-unusual-trick-to-avoid-shouting-428727\">sing their instructions<\/a> to keep things light. No parent is perfect: apologizing after you lose your temper also teaches your child how to repair a relationship.<\/p>\n<h2>Our take on parenting<\/h2>\n<p>Parenting doesn\u2019t rest on mothers alone: we also talk about dads, co-parents, blended, single-parent and LGBTQ+ families, and people who choose not to have children. There\u2019s no single model or \u201cperfect mom\u201d here: our articles share guidance without making anyone feel guilty. For any concern about a child\u2019s health or development, your pediatrician, family doctor or a child psychologist remains the best person to ask.<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/top-phrases-help-children-express-emotions-444372\">What to say instead of \u201cstop crying\u201d<\/a>: five phrases that help children express their emotions.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/monster-under-the-bed-really-means-childhood-fear-428271\">The monster under the bed<\/a>: what this classic childhood fear really means and how to respond.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/eldest-daughter-syndrome-confirmed-by-science-study-reigniting-debate-430888\">Eldest daughter syndrome<\/a>: what research says about the responsibilities often placed on firstborn girls.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/be-a-mother-but-stay-slim-she-breaks-the-silence-pressure-weighs-on-young-mothers-432933\">The pressure to \u201cbounce back\u201d after birth<\/a>: one mother speaks out against the demand to stay thin.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\/you-post-pictures-of-children-on-social-media-heres-something-you-probably-dont-know-428755\">Posting photos of your kids online<\/a>: what to know before you share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Can fathers get postpartum depression?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Some fathers go through sadness, irritability or anxiety after a baby arrives, sometimes called the \u201cdaddy blues.\u201d When these symptoms last for several weeks, it may be paternal postpartum depression, a condition recognized by health professionals. Intense fatigue, feeling useless or withdrawing from others are warning signs: talking to a doctor is the first step toward getting support.<\/p>\n<h3>What is positive parenting?<\/h3>\n<p>Positive parenting, close to what is often called gentle parenting, guides children through listening, explanation and encouragement rather than punishment, yelling or humiliation. It isn\u2019t the same as being permissive: rules still exist, but they\u2019re set with respect. A growing number of countries have also banned corporal punishment of children, spanking included.<\/p>\n<h3>How can you tell if your child is being bullied at school?<\/h3>\n<p>Several signs can raise concern: refusing to go to school, repeated stomachaches or headaches in the morning, slipping grades, damaged or missing belongings, isolation, trouble sleeping, mood changes after using their phone. Start the conversation calmly, without dramatizing, then contact the school. Many countries also have helplines dedicated to bullying and cyberbullying.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a> on emotions, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> to find your footing again after a baby arrives, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\">Body positive<\/a> to see your body with kindness, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/sante\/grossesse\">Pregnancy<\/a> for the months before birth.<\/p>","cat_name":"Parenting","category_nicename":"vie-de-maman","category_parent":6138}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8385"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=444683"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":445986,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444683\/revisions\/445986"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/444684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=444683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=444683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=444683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}