Kotb and Clooney are both first-time parents in their 50s — yet the new mom received more "concern" than the new dad. What gives?
Kotb and Clooney's situation proves that there is still more stigma attached to later-in-life motherhood than later-in-life fatherhood.
Clooney is actually older than Kotb (and will be responsible for two lives instead of one), but "older dads" aren't as looked down upon as "older moms."
Much of this ageism stems from the fact that the mother is usually the one carrying the baby (except in cases of adoption, like Kotb's situation).
It's assumed that the healthiest pregnancies tend to happen when the woman is at the peak of her childbearing years, which is generally the twenties and early thirties (i.e., "young").
Then when the child is born, the mother is the presumed care-giver.
Both parents are "expected" to watch, raise, and care for the child through adulthood — but most of that responsibility falls on the mom (and if the father-figure is non-existent, the mother is also expected to pick up the dad's slack).
Hence, the supposed value of having a "younger mom" (aka, someone who is younger in age and can keep up with the demands of a child) versus an "older mom."
But with advances in science and an increase in life expectancy — and the crazy notion that fathers should share parenting responsibilities — there is no reason for such intense stigma against later-in-life mothers.
Not to mention, the age that someone decides to become a parent is no one else's business.
- Share This Story SHARE THIS STORY ON FACEBOOK
- ··· More
To share this article with others, copy and paste this link:
Recommended

Here's Everything That Happened When I Started Shaving My Face, Both Good And Bad

This Celeb-Loved Skincare Brand Just Dropped A New Dreamy Face Mask

17 photos of how far plus-size red carpet style has come since the 2000s

The Fun New Palette Completely Dedicated To Gamers
