Someone Other Than a Mother — With Erin Lane

I talk with Erin Lane, theologian and author of Someone Other Than a Mother, about the social and religious pressures on women to be mothers, the idolization of motherhood, and how we are allowed to be someone other than a mother. This conversation responds to common phrases like “But you’d be a great mom,” or “You’ll regret not having kids,” or “You don’t know love until you become a mother.” (Erin dedicates a chapter to each of these phrases and more in her book!) We also explore how Bible verses that say, “be fruitful and multiply” are often misunderstood and used wrongly to pressure Christians to have children. This book and our conversation spoke very personally to me. To hear more about my story deconstructing traditional gender roles (and discovering my life for science and desire to be a “career woman”), check out my article A Woman Belongs Wherever God Calls Her published by Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE). Where to find Erin Lane: her website: www.erinslane.com her book (also available on Audible!) : Someone Other Than a Mother her Instagram: @heyerinlane her Substack: https://substack.com/profile/4946260-erin-s-lane Interview Questions (listen to the episode to hear Erin’s answers!): - Describe how our culture depicts marriage and womanhood. - Even in the 21st century, so many girls are still being raised to be wives and mothers. Some call this “family values,” others call it “indoctrination” or “patriarchy.” Regardless, how does this environment affect a young girl’s view of herself and her place in the world? - Describe how our culture celebrates motherhood. How does this idolization of parenting cast shame and disappointment on adults who choose not to have kids? - What encouragement do you have for women who don’t experience the “baby fever” others say they will? - How has the phrase “be fruitful and multiply” been misconstrued today, and how can we better understand it? - How do you feel about the biological clock narrative that often gets repeated to people? - and more! Note: Erin Lane references two female mystics in the Catholic tradition: St Juliana of Norwhich and Thérèse of Lisieux.