Laboring Mothers, Then and Now: A Conversation with Dr. Ellen Ledoux

I get Google alerts for the topic of “emotional labor,” and one day, a name popped up that stopped me in my tracks: Dr. Ellen Ledoux. A scholar of 18th-century literature and feminist theory, Dr. Ledoux’s work powerfully unpacks how historical narratives continue to shape modern understandings of work, gender, and care.

Her book, Laboring Mothers: Reproducing Women and Work in the Eighteenth Century, explores the cultural origins of the myth that maternal care and paid labor are mutually exclusive. She reveals how Enlightenment-era ideals elevated the domestic role for white, privileged women while rendering poor, enslaved, and working-class mothers invisible—or unworthy. In other words, motherhood was never just a personal role—it was political, racialized, and deeply tied to labor structures.

When I asked Dr. Ledoux why we’re still here—still talking about “work-life balance,” still treating caregiving as if it were weightless—she pointed to our enduring belief in rugged individualism and our failure to interrogate the systems that demand superhuman effort. As she put it: we expect a woman on the tenure track to birth both a baby and a major scholarly work, as if both forms of labor don’t demand everything.

Dr. Ledoux’s scholarship is a gift to anyone grappling with the emotional labor of care, work, and identity.

Learn more about Dr. Ledoux and her work: https://ellen.ledoux.us/
Order Laboring Mothers: https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/5949/

I first came across the work of Jourdan Travers through a Forbes article written by Mark Travers, her spouse. The article caught my attention because the title included one of my favorite phrases: “invisible load.” When I reached out to Mark, I learned that he and Jourdan collaborate on their writing projects, and as luck would have it, Jourdan graciously agreed to join us on our podcast.

Our conversation was rich and thought-provoking. I especially appreciated the way Jourdan unpacked the concept of emotional labor and explored how it operates within the framework of patriarchy. She articulated how patriarchy underpins long-standing beliefs about gender roles and provided historical context to help illuminate its pervasive influence. What’s more, she highlighted how patriarchy manifests differently depending on factors such as race, class, gender, culture, age, and sexual orientation.

As a licensed social worker and therapist, Jourdan emphasized the importance of regular, honest, and introspective conversations as a foundation for challenging and shifting deeply ingrained beliefs. She shared how her work helps patients look beyond surface-level issues to dig deeper, encouraging curiosity and critical examination of their own narratives. Jourdan’s goal is to empower women to reflect more deeply on their challenges and view them through a different lens.

One exercise she suggested, which I found both brilliant and practical, is this: If you’re upset about something—say, how your spouse handles snack time with the kids—write it down. Detail what the problem is, why it bothers you, and what solution you’d like to see. Then, ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” By becoming curious about your emotions and responses, you can gain valuable insights and begin to reframe your perspective.

Bio: Jourdan Travers is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Director at Awake Therapy, a telehealth company that provides online psychotherapy, counseling, and coaching. She also helps curate the popular mental health and wellness website, Therapytips.org, where you can take science-backed assessments such as the Relationship Satisfaction Scale and Marital Satisfaction Test. Ms. Travers received her MSW from The University of Maryland and her B.A. in psychology from California State University Northridge. She has previously worked at Promises Treatment Center and Malibu Vista in Malibu, California, and the Lindner Center of Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Travers takes a holistic approach to mental health treatment, utilizing a variety of methods to help clients move through distressing thoughts, manage overwhelming emotions, improve close relationships, and focus on strengths to achieve long-term results. Click here to book an appointment with Ms. Travers.