Mother's Day: The Role of Mothers in Family and Society

 

‘Mother’ is the sweetest word in the world. There is no word in any constitution of the world more tender or pure than mother. Though the word is short, its depth and greatness are infinite. The one we call the mine of affection, care, and unconditional love is none other than our mother.

In this world, a mother is the dearest and closest person to us. From the moment a child is born until the very end of life, it is the mother whose comforting presence surrounds and shapes that life. There are countless words that attempt to describe her, yet no word is as sweet as the simple call of mother. Even the greatest minds in history have said that ‘mother’ is the most frequently spoken word on Earth.

No matter how much trouble there is, when we think of our mother—a smile appears on the corner of your lips without knowing it. The person who is a shadow by our side in all dangers is none other than our beloved noble and womb-bearing mother.

Regardless of the date, World Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year to honor the mothers across the world. The purpose of Mother's Day is to remind everyone that there is no one else in this world who can truly be true to ourselves except mother. This day is for showing respect and love to mothers.

In poetic expression: “The sweet smile of my mother glows upon the moon’s face—how dearly I remember her, my mother, always in my heart.” Who doesn’t remember their mother? Those who still have her, cherish her memory. And those who have lost her, remember her even more dearly. Such is the bond between a mother and her child—eternal, unbreakable. The word ‘mother’ alone evokes a universe of affection, compassion, reverence, unconditional love, and unparalleled sacrifice.

A mother is the safest haven for every child on earth. No amount of wealth can ever repay the lifelong labor, love, and sacrifices of a mother. Some may debate whether a special day for mothers is truly necessary—but on that one day, let us simply love her a little more.
In poetic words:

“Wherever I look, whatever I see—
Oh, nothing compares to my mother, truly.
No single word holds such nectar and grace,
No love, no warmth in any other place.
Her affection, her care—so tender, so true—
Where else on earth could one find such virtue?”

A review of the history behind Mother's Day celebration reveals that Mother's Day started in 1908. Earlier, Anna Jarvis, a school-teacher in Philadelphia, United States, was shocked by the family isolation there and thought of creating awareness by celebrating a special day for mothers.

Anna Jarvis died on May 9, 1905, before she could implement that idea. After her death, daughter Anna M. Jarvis began working to fulfill her mother's last wishes. With friends, in 1908, at the church where her mother worshiped in Philadelphia, she started Mother's Day with an event for all mothers. In 1914, the United States officially declared the second Sunday of May as a public holiday dedicated to mothers.

Mother's Day is celebrated in more than 37 countries across the world. The second Sunday of May is observed in at least 27 countries including Bangladesh, Australia, Barbados, Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore and New Zealand. In addition, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of February in Norway, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Serbia and other countries on March 8. Mother's Day is celebrated on March 21 in Middle Eastern countries. Besides, Mother's Day is celebrated in some countries on other days of May, June, August, October and November.

On Mother’s Day, the white carnation is celebrated as the symbolic flower of love and gratitude. Surveys reveal that more people call their mothers, buy flowers, or give gifts on this day than on any other day of the year. But truth be told—do mothers ever truly need gifts?

For them, the sweetest, most priceless gift is simply hearing the word “Ma” (mother) from their child’s mouths. That one word fills their hearts with a joy no worldly possession can ever match.

My mother is still with me—and in this world, having your mother alive is like the wheel of fortune always turning in your favor. I consider myself immensely blessed. Many of my friends have already lost their mothers at this stage of life. And no matter how much they wish to, they no longer have a way to celebrate this day with her in the way they once could. For them, Mother’s Day is not a celebration—but a memory wrapped in love and longing.

The other day, a friend told me, “Every single day, memories of my mother flood my mind.” Each morning, before stepping out of the house, he pauses in front of her photo on the wall and whispers, “How are you, Ma (mother)?” And then, unable to hold back the grief, he breaks down in tears. Only those who have lost their mothers truly know the ache of such a loss.

Yet, when we look at our society, it’s heartbreaking to see how many mothers are neglected and mistreated. So often, we witness sons, daughters—even daughters-in-law—turning away from the very woman who once held their world together. It is painful to see the same parents who once held our fingers to teach us how to walk, who fed us with their own hands, being cast aside in their twilight years—sent to old age homes by the very children they raised with love and sacrifice.

Many might refer to foreign societal structures. But their systems are different—so are their customs and norms. Social security in Western countries is far more robust. In Germany, for example, it’s normal for elderly parents to live in retirement homes or support themselves financially. They receive government allowances that align with their lifetime earnings.

But in our country? We also call our country as ‘Motherland’, we bow down and touch its soil with reverence, proud to call it our ‘mother’.
And yet, when it comes to our own mothers—how often do we truly express our love while they are still with us? How many times have we embraced our mothers and said, “Ma (mother), I love you”?

The cycle of life begins at birth. Then comes childhood, adolescence, youth, adulthood, old age—and finally, the inevitable: death. This eternal truth applies to each and every one of us. Let us ensure that no mother’s final refuge becomes an old-age home. Let us honor and cherish our mothers, keeping them away from neglect and indifference. As long as our mothers are alive, let us celebrate every single day as Mother’s Day.


Emran Emon is a researcher,
journalist and a columnist.