MAM
This Mother’s Day, Let us do the “Super-moms” a favour, retire them
MUMBAI: Brand X “launches heart-warming video dedicated to all ‘Super Moms’” blares an accessories brand campaign…“Celebrating the superstar mothers”, says another. “Dedicated to mothers who like a superwoman…blah blah” reads yet another brand campaign.
Come Mother’s Day and one is inundated with ads showcasing heroic, self-sacrificing moms multitasking, juggling an over-abundance of chores while managing both the work and home fronts super efficiently, constructing an image of a super-human or a symbol of divinity with multiple pairs of hands. Brand after brand in ad after ad repeats the same tired tropes of a “super mom” effortlessly ‘doing it all’ or role-playing the selfless epitome of virtue and goodness in a bid to keep the domestic machinery well-oiled and running smoothly.
In a damning indictment of how we treat our women as a nation, a 2011 Nielson Survey found that women in India are the most stressed of all. The study conducted across 21 countries measured stress by asking women questions such as ‘If they often felt pressured for time’, ‘If they rarely had time to relax’, ‘If they felt stressed/ overworked most of the time’. An overwhelming 87 per cent of Indian women signalled that they felt stressed most of the time, and 82 per cent had no time to relax.
Ten years down the line, a cursory look at our ads and campaigns rolled out ahead of Mother’s Day makes it clear that little has changed in women’s lives, while also presenting a possible indicator of why this may be so.
Lifestyle & mobile accessories brand KDM has launched a ‘Karo Dil Ki Marzi Mummy with KDM’ video ahead of Mother’s Day, that starts with a young daughter introducing her mother who’s talented but sacrificed her dreams for the sake of her family. The film shows the mom busy dusting, cleaning, cooking and having no time to follow her passion. The key purpose of the campaign is to pay tribute to all the “selfless sacrificing mothers who need to also listen to their heart along with performing their jobs”. The ad, which probably has its heart in the right place, unfortunately, chooses to play to the gallery with all the mommy stereotypes in place.
A recent LG Dishwasher advert, although not strictly a mother’s day campaign – takes us right back to the 70’s era if not earlier with its brand film and tagline of ‘Love wife, Love LG Dishwasher’. Circa 1982, Prestige pressure cooker ad, anyone? The vintage ad for the Prestige pressure cooker brand had a similar sentiment to sell its brand of pressure cookers- “Jo Biwi se kare pyar, Woh Prestige se kaise kare inkaar”! And from the looks of it, the time has stood still for the LG dishwasher ad!
Coming back to 2022, LG’s latest depicts a seemingly modern-looking urban couple beginning their marital journey. The film goes on to show the new bride struggling and labouring over a pile of dirty dishes. That is, till her knight-in-shining-armour – the husband, decides to rescue her from the catastrophic fate by gifting her an LG dishwasher. The voiceover in the ad ends with a believe it or not- “Not only take care of your dishes but your wife’s hands too!” slogan, clearly implying that it’s only the woman’s job to keep the soiled dishes ‘spic n span’. If only the brand’s marketing team had some “modern” thinking to go along with the modern features it talks about inbuilt in the machine!
If you thought this was an aberration to the brand’s dishwasher campaigns, there’s more. In another advert of the same series, the film goes on to nominate the husband as “the best husband in the world” for being gracious enough to gift his wife an LG dishwasher. The ad spot goes on to commission the brand itself as “The true symbol of love and care” for “Keeping your wife’s hands soft and beautiful as ever”! Coming from a multinational conglomerate, and one of the leading names in consumer electronics and home appliances, one would have expected better. But alas..that was not to be.
A lot has been said about equal parenting, but the truth remains, in one way or the other, women do end up with a larger share of work at the domestic level and such advertisements and brand campaigns further drill into the trope of a woman-managing-it-all perfectly are not helping matters!
In a slightly refreshing mode, the latest Prega news campaign seeks to break the stereotypical image of a “perfect” mom while acknowledging that a mother can be humanly imperfect and not excel at every role laid out by society. The brand in its latest Mother’s Day campaign depicts a working mother undergoing guilt pangs because she feels she has let her baby down. The film goes on to emphasise the message that mothers need not be perfect all the time and “embraces the imperfection of a mother with the #SheIsImperfectlyPerfect campaign”.
On the flip side, the pregnancy detection brand’s International Women’s Day 2022 campaign appears to be at odds with its Mothers’ day messaging. It speaks about the same tired trope of celebrating the “boundless spirit of womanhood with its #SheCanCarryBoth” message, where it enunciates “the huge strength of women who do not shy away from any form of responsibility”. Here the brand attempts to examine via the life journeys of four women passing through a railways waiting room, whether being a mom while being “extremely rewarding”, takes a toll on one’s ambitions and dreams? While the concept and intent behind the campaign is to be commended, (as it says, “, it’s time to break free from the nay-sayers of society and bring in confidence to women that #SheCanCarryBoth!”) the ad ends up glossing over the challenges faced by new mothers in trying to single-handedly manage the baby, home and her career, with the daddys, as usual, nowhere in the picture.
However, to be fair, the brand has in the past highlighted important issues faced by women through its ads. It even threw light on an important matter such as postpartum depression (PPD) and how new mothers grapple with it, in its 2018 campaign, emphasises how PPD is a harsh reality and how we, as a society, can help mothers deal with it by being understanding and empathetic.
But sadly, such advertisements are exceptions rather than the rule, and the major part of the ads still depict women and mothers in conformist avatars. This, while adding to the not-so-subtle societal pressure on women, also takes away the culpability of the rest of the household to do their bit in easing the load on a single individual.
It’s 2022. High time we retired the “super-mom” from our ads? And bring them down from the ‘divine’ super-humanly pedestal we have bestowed upon them only to weigh them down with the crown of our expectations? Let’s keep hoping.
As homes evolve to reflect a growing focus on wellness, hygiene, and long-term durability, the materials we choose are coming under sharper scrutiny. It’s no longer just about how a space looks, but also about how it performs under daily use. From accidental spills in the kitchen to everyday wear in living spaces, the right materials can make the difference between a home that simply appears clean and one that actively supports healthier living.
Across categories like paints, surfaces, and furniture, there is a clear shift towards solutions that minimise toxins, resist stains, and are easier to maintain. Here’s how thoughtful material choices can help create a home that is both beautiful and better for everyday life.
Cleaner Walls: The Shift to Low-VOC Paints
Walls cover the largest surface area in any home, making them a critical factor in indoor air quality. Traditional paints often contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), or chemicals that can release harmful fumes long after application. These emissions are known to contribute to headaches, respiratory irritation, and long-term health concerns, particularly in enclosed spaces.
This has led to a growing preference for eco-friendly paints, which are formulated using natural, non-toxic, and sustainable materials. With low to zero VOC content, these paints significantly reduce indoor air pollution and create a safer environment for families, especially children and the elderly. Water-based formulations are another key advancement, as they limit the use of hazardous solvents without compromising on finish or durability. Brands like Nippon Paint have introduced eco-friendly, child-safe paint ranges that align with this shift towards healthier interiors.
Beyond composition, finish also plays a role in maintenance. Satin, eggshell, and semi-gloss emulsions are increasingly preferred for interiors, as they are less absorbent and more resistant to stains, making walls easier to clean and maintain over time.
Hygienic Surfaces: Where Performance Meets Everyday Living
If walls influence air quality, surfaces, especially in kitchens and children’s bedrooms or play areas, directly impact hygiene. Interestingly, studies have shown that kitchen surfaces can sometimes harbour more bacteria than bathrooms, largely due to frequent exposure to food, moisture, and spills.
This makes the choice of countertop and surface material particularly important. Porous materials can absorb liquids, leading to staining and potential bacterial growth over time. In contrast, non-porous surfaces offer a more hygienic alternative, as they prevent absorption and are easier to clean.
Engineered quartz surfaces have emerged as a strong solution in this space. For instance, offerings from Specta Quartz Surfaces are designed to address both hygiene and durability concerns. Being non-porous and impenetrable, these surfaces do not absorb liquids, making them resistant to common household stains such as tea, coffee, turmeric, or juice. They also offer ease of maintenance, as most spills can be cleaned with a damp cloth, and occasional use of mild soap is enough to restore the surface.
Additionally, they are NSF and GreenGuard certified, proving that these surfaces are safe for direct food contact and do not support the growth of bacteria, mould, or mildew. This is particularly relevant in Indian kitchens, where cooking often involves heavy use of spices, oils, and frequent cleaning.
Smart Furniture Choices
Furniture is another area where material choice plays a crucial role in maintaining a clean and healthy home. Sofas, chairs, and wardrobes are constantly exposed to dust, spills, and daily wear, making durability and stain resistance key considerations. Fabrics like microfiber, leather, and synthetic blends like polyester or olefin are becoming popular for upholstered furniture. These materials are designed to repel liquids, resist scratches, and withstand regular use, making them ideal for households with children or pets.
Brands like Orange Tree offer furniture that combines aesthetic appeal with practical material choices. Laminates from companies like Century Ply are now designed to be stain-resistant and durable, making them suitable for wardrobes, cabinets, and seating. These finishes not only enhance longevity but also reduce the effort required for daily upkeep.
Designing for Long-Term Well-Being
What ties these material choices together is a broader shift in how we think about our homes. Cleanliness is no longer just about routine maintenance, it begins with selecting materials that are inherently easier to maintain, safer to use, and more resistant to wear.
Low-VOC paints contribute to better air quality, non-porous surfaces improve hygiene, and performance-driven furniture materials reduce the stress of everyday living. Together, they create an environment that supports both physical health and peace of mind.
As modern lifestyles become more fast-paced, the demand for homes that are low-maintenance yet high-performing will only continue to grow. By choosing materials that can handle spills, resist stains, and stand the test of time, homeowners can create spaces that are not just visually appealing, but also fundamentally healthier to live in.
