Earth Mother Is Dead

Abstract

Far from being the oppressive brute of feminist lore, the human male has often doted over his female counterpart, especially in romantic relationships. The image of her as earth mother has come crashing down, however, as the nurturing mother figure of fantasy life has disappeared. Unlike women, who have liberated themselves, the male is enervated by his dependence on the feminine and the loss of woman as his best friend and mother figure. The idealized image of woman may be making a return as more women makes themselves into sex objects and return to a more passive way of relating to men. The hazards of the male's idealization of earth mother are examined.