Rachel Campos-Duffy, co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekend" and wife of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, recently shared a Mother's Day message that one therapist warned was "exclusionary" and can cause harm. On Sunday, which was Mother's Day, Campos-Duffy appeared on Fox News' "The Sunday Briefing" to talk about first lady Melania Trump's recent opinion piece published in The Washington Post.
Melania Trump's Op-Ed on Motherhood
In the op-ed, the first lady discussed how moms are finding ways to balance their careers and their families — and the importance of being available "not just when it is convenient, but whenever your child needs you." Trump was panned online for coming off as condescending and out-of-touch with the struggles everyday working moms face, and for writing, among other things: "America can restore the honor of motherhood after years in which feminism often placed career above family, with consequences to our nation."
Campos-Duffy Praises Trump's Message
Campos-Duffy praised Trump's op-ed, noting that she personally "has a heart for working moms" and for stay-at-home moms, since she stayed at home with her kids for 14 years before joining the network. Campos-Duffy and Sean Duffy share nine children together. "For so long, feminism and feminists have been demanding that we put work first ... we saw the rise of the girl boss," she said. "And here's Melania Trump saying, 'No there's a perfect order to this. First and foremost, as women, as mother[s], our first and primary obligation — both physically for our kids but also spiritually for ourselves and our kids — is our calling, our vocation to motherhood,'" she said.
Erika Kirk's Commencement Speech
Campos-Duffy then celebrated Erika Kirk's recent commencement speech at Hillsdale College in Michigan over the weekend, in which the CEO of Turning Point USA told the graduates that her late husband Charlie Kirk often encouraged people to "get married young, not rushed" and "to have more kids than you can afford." The Fox News host said that Erika Kirk's message showed that "motherhood, marriage, family — these are the things that last. These are the things that at your death bed actually matter."
Campos-Duffy's Views on Feminism and Motherhood
Campos-Duffy said she believes more and more young women are "coming on board." "You're seeing lots of articles from young women and social media saying, 'I don't want the pill anymore,'" she said, before referencing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement. "Part of that is MAHA, right? But part of it is also an embracing of what our actual purpose in life is," she said. "I'm seeing real great signs in the culture and conservative women ... people coming forward and saying, 'We tried it the other way, and it's left women unfulfilled, on SSRIs and unhappy.'" "Let's embrace motherhood," she said.
Other Conservative Voices
Campos-Duffy wasn't the only conservative figure to suggest over the weekend that feminism has taught mothers to put their careers over their children — or that perhaps women who don't have children risk feeling unfulfilled in life. Katie Miller, who previously worked in the Trump administration, wrote on X that "peak feminism is having babies." "The most radical thing a woman can do is embrace her biological destiny," she wrote. Miller is expecting a fourth child with husband Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff.
Therapist Warns Against Exclusionary Rhetoric
"Campos-Duffy's remarks reflect a traditional view of motherhood as the pinnacle of a woman's purpose, which can be quite limiting and exclusionary," said Monica Cwynar, a licensed clinical social worker with Thriveworks who specializes in trauma and coping skills. Cwynar warned that this line of thinking often does not allow women to reach their full potential or to "recognize that they can be many things besides just homemakers and mothers." "This rhetoric can harm women by implying that their worth is contingent upon their ability to bear children," she told HuffPost. "Women who can't or choose not to have children still have worth and purpose but may feel pressured or judged, leading to feelings of inadequacy or unfulfillment — or possibly even guilt for not wanting to be mothers." "It reinforces a narrative that minimizes and undervalues the diverse roles women can play in society, and undermines their individual choices and identities," she continued, adding that this narrative makes "women out as only service providers."
Harmful Effects on Mental Health
Cwynar emphasized that Campos-Duffy's message about motherhood and fulfillment can be harmful to anyone. She said that the Fox News host's rhetoric that women who don't have children or who prioritize their careers could help foster stigmas surrounding mental health and personal fulfillment. "By implying that childlessness equates to unhappiness, it not only diminishes the experiences of women without children but can also negatively influence men and younger viewers," she said. "It suggests that women without children are defective or broken, and that they should tolerate being seen as less than, as if it were a truth. It perpetuates societal pressure to conform to traditional family structures, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety for those who do not fit this mold."
Rage and Bitterness from Unrealistic Expectations
Cwynar explained that these messages could also lead to "rage and bitterness" in people who may feel forced to put themselves in a box that doesn't fit them. "Raising children is a small part of a long life, and you need to remain an individual that has the ability to meet your own goals to build the life you want," she said.
Healthier Ways to Discuss Women's Experiences
There are healthier ways to discuss the diverse experiences of women, Cwynar said. She said it's important for people — especially those with public platforms — to acknowledge that fulfillment can come in many forms. "Public figures should celebrate a perspective that values all contributions women make to society — be it through career, activism, creativity or community engagement — without reducing their worth to motherhood alone," she said. "Raising children for many women who want to do it is fulfilling, but for those who don't they can be just as fulfilled."
Impact on Children of Unwilling Mothers
There are many reasons why a woman doesn't have, or chooses not to have, kids. Some women choose not to take on the role of a mother, and Cwynar pointed out that "having a mother who doesn't want the job may cause more damage to those children." "I have seen the effects of people in my practice who were raised by mothers who really weren't interested in the role, and these individuals suffer and carry that pain into adulthood," she said. "Campos-Duffy misses the opportunity to uplift these varied paths, which can lead to empowerment rather than restriction. Emphasizing choice, respect for individual circumstances, and celebrating different life stories can create a more inclusive dialogue."
Advice for Those Affected by Such Rhetoric
For anyone who may be negatively affected by Campos-Duffy's or Katie Miller's rhetoric surrounding motherhood, fulfillment and "biological destiny," Cwynar recommends that you first and foremost "acknowledge and validate your feelings and make space to take care of yourself." "Allow yourself to experience those emotions without judgment," she said. "Finding support in communities, whether through friends, online forums or therapy, can provide a safe space to share your experiences." Cwynar said it's important to remember your value is not defined by motherhood, or any single role. "It's shaped by your unique experiences and contributions," she said. "Surrounding yourself with positive affirmations about your choices can help counteract the negative impacts of these societal messages." "You don't have to internalize others' opinions," she continued. "What others believe [is not] necessarily the truth, and especially not your truth."
