A Mother's Day Salt Lake Tribune column takes aim at the tradition of praising mothers for their selflessness, arguing that such tributes promote harmful ideals of self-neglect and martyrdom. Yet in its eagerness to reject these familiar narratives, the piece dismisses the profound truth that many mothers do choose to sacrifice—not out of oppression or cultural brainwashing, but out of love. To criticize expressions like “she always put others first” as inherently damaging flattens the emotional and moral depth behind such acts. Honoring a mother’s quiet strength or daily sacrifices is not a glorification of suffering—it is recognition of devotion that often holds families together.
The choice to give, to endure without complaint, or to prioritize others does not make a person less authentic. On the contrary, for many, these traits are deliberate expressions of identity and agency. Suggesting that stories of selfless mothers are outdated or harmful risks alienating those who see deep meaning in those roles.