Tracee Ellis Ross, the acclaimed actress and entrepreneur, opened up about her views on motherhood and societal expectations during an interview at the New York Times Well Festival. At 52 years old, the star of the award-winning series “Black-ish” reflects on her life choices and the evolving cultural landscape surrounding family dynamics. As the daughter of music icon Diana Ross, she’s lived under that public microscope for the majority of her life. Inspired by her journey, she has taken it upon herself to reshape the narrative of motherhood and womanhood in the 21st century.
Ross is the founder and co-CEO of the widely successful haircare line Pattern. She redefines motherhood much larger than the dean’s office definition. Through her own aesthetic interests, she has acted as a mother to these parties, caring for the fertile friendships and social networks that thrive through her creative circles. “I do believe that I mother all over the place,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to supporting those around her.
In terms of what she’s seen change, Ross has observed a cultural shift around public protest. In increasing numbers, Americans are waiting longer to start families or opting out of having children entirely. She focused on the growing “trad-wife” movement. Featured among these trends is the powerfully growing trend of young women abandoning career hopes to embrace homemaking and family life. “It’s a narrative that the volume has turned back up on again culturally,” Ross explained, highlighting the complexities of modern family structures.
In spite of these observations, Ross articulated her difficulty with outside pressures as related to being a mother and her value as a person. She explained that these contextual pressures had historically restricted her imagination for what could be possible for her life. “It undermined my sense of worth and self and joy until I realized it was somebody else’s idea,” she reflected.
In a powerful statement, Ross asserted her belief in her own value, independent of conventional milestones: “I do not believe that my life is unworthy because I don’t have children. I do not believe that my life is unworthy because I do not have a man or partner.” This aspirational message strikes a chord with those who have been cast aside by outdated ways of measuring success.
Ross’s reflections highlight a larger dialogue on identity, purpose, and the myriad of paths people can take to serve their communities. The public figure and entrepreneur’s experiences have colored her perspective. Today, she unapologetically defies traditional narratives that insist on a separation between family and personal value.
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