r/childfree – "…and most importantly, a mom." -NASA astronaut …

This is how the retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott chose to introduce herself on the Infinite Monkey Cage, a science-focussed podcast:

"Hi, everyone, I'm Nicole Stott, a retired NASA astronaut, though hopeful to fly in space again someday. An aquanaut, artist, now author, and most importantly, a mom."

Like, I get that it's vital to demonstrate that women can be astronauts and mothers and that being a mother shouldn't limit women in STEM, but excuse me if I rank being a friggin' astronaut higher than popping out some kids!

And obviously, the whole point of feminism is having the right to choose one's own path, be that a SAHM, childfree, or anything else, but to me, something feels a bit regressive about highlighting her motherhood above all else.

Do male astronauts highlight their fatherhood as their crowning achievement, above space flight?

I don't know, I'm just spit-balling, here, and I haven't worked out whether I have some internalised misogyny going on, or why exactly Stott's self-description irked me. I just had a very visceral reaction to "...and most importantly, a mom" coming from her in that setting.

What are your thoughts?

More:

r/childfree - "...and most importantly, a mom." -NASA astronaut ...