The Village Was a Lie: Why Millennial Mothers Are Going It Alone

Ah, “The Village.” That magical, supportive community we were all promised would appear the moment we had kids. You know, the one where neighbors pop round with casseroles, family members take your screaming newborn off your hands so you can shower, and wise elders guide you through the chaos of motherhood with gentle words and freshly brewed tea.

Yeah. That village doesn’t exist.

Somewhere between the 1980s and now, it was bulldozed, set on fire, and replaced with self-righteous Facebook mums telling you to “just sleep when the baby sleeps” and parents who suddenly act like unpaid babysitting is a war crime.

Millennial mothers are out here raising entire humans alone, while the generation that raised us has conveniently forgotten how much free childcare they had from their parents. The same grandparents who had TV adverts at 10 PM asking, “Do you know where your children are?” and reminding you to tuck them in at night are now saying "I raised you, I’m done, raise your own kids.”

Excuse me? Who do you think raised me?

Our parents were out every weekend while our grandparents practically co-parented us. But now, suddenly, it’s selfish to expect the same?

The Loneliness of Motherhood in a Village That Doesn’t Exist

Millennials are not only dealing with raising kids in isolation but also the most expensive childcare in history, a cost-of-living crisis, and a society that simultaneously expects us to work full-time and be Pinterest-perfect parents.

Gone are the days when granny and grandad lived five minutes away and picked the kids up after school. Now? We’re lucky if they don’t roll their eyes when we ask for help because they’re “enjoying their retirement.”

Let’s be real—many of us are parenting without:
✅ A break
✅ A support system
✅ Any idea what we’re doing

And it’s not our fault. The social structures that once supported mothers have crumbled, leaving us burnt out, overworked, and drowning in mental load while the older generation gaslights us into thinking we’re just weak.

We are not weak. We are unsupported.

If We Want a Village, We Have to Build It Ourselves

Since the village isn’t coming back, we have to create it from scratch—and that’s exactly what Dope Soul Village is doing.

It’s in the name, after all. We are the village.

While the government continues to underfund women’s services and your mum tells you she’s “too busy” to watch the kids (even though you watched her other kid for half your childhood), we’re putting real money into supporting women.

Every feminist hoodie and feminist sweatshirt sold through Dope Soul Village helps fund a real, tangible support system for women. Not just a “thoughts and prayers” version of support—but actual, life-changing help.

Here’s where the money goes:
💰 Helping women flee domestic violence – Paying for emergency travel, accommodation, and the essentials to get them out safely.
⚖️ Legal fees – Because justice isn’t free, and abusers rely on their victims being too broke to fight back.
🏡 Housing support – A real place to stay, not just being dumped in a shelter with no follow-up.
👭 Lifetime support – Because escaping isn’t the end of the struggle, and we don’t believe in kicking you to the curb after six months with a “good luck” card.

No red tape. No jumping through hoops. If you need help, you’ll get it.

The Future of the Village Starts Here

If we want the village back, we have to be the ones to build it.

Dope Soul Village isn’t just selling feminist fashion for the sake of it—it’s about creating a community where no woman is left behind. It’s about putting money where our mouths are and making sure women have the kind of support we were all promised but never received.

If you’re done waiting for someone else to create the village, join us. Buy the hoodie. Support the mission. Share the message.

Because no woman should have to do this alone. And with Dope Soul Village, you won’t have to.