kapasitetmor

Kapasitetmor is a term used in Norwegian and Nordic social science to describe the capacity of a mother to manage caregiving responsibilities alongside work, education, and personal needs. The word combines kapasitet (capacity) with mor (mother). In this discourse it refers not to a fixed trait but to an emergent state shaped by resources, social support, health, and the surrounding environment.

The concept encompasses cognitive, emotional, and physical resources, as well as time and energy. External factors such as partner involvement, availability of childcare, and workplace flexibility also influence kapasitetmor. Researchers emphasize that kapasitetmor is dynamic and context-dependent: a mother’s capacity can increase or decrease with changes in sleep, income, social support, or stress levels.

Measurement and use: In research, kapasitetmor is often operationalized through self-report scales, time-use diaries, and composite indices that combine caregiving load, perceived stress, satisfaction with balance, and resilience. The concept informs policy discussions on parental leave, childcare access, and workplace practices designed to support families and reduce burnout among mothers.

Critiques: Some scholars caution that focusing on kapasitetmor risks placing responsibility on individual mothers and may obscure structural inequalities, gender norms, and the role of partners. Cross-cultural differences in parenting norms can also affect how kapasitetmor is defined, perceived, and reported.

See also: Parental capacity, caregiver burden, maternal mental health, work–family balance.