exploited labor is a poetry book, with its central theme focused on modern motherhood, postpartum depression, and various aspects of marriage.
The experience of the modern mother is anything but what appears on the surface. Women feel the crushing burden of societal expectations, housework, managing a family home-and juggling a job or two or the side-as they enter motherhood, often hiding behind social media posts and forced smiles.
With little to no support after birth-and often feeling like the scapegoat of society-mothers tend to hide the pain they are experiencing day-to-day; just trying to survive until bedtime.
As night looms, they are filled with anxiety, guilt, and fear:
Are they doing this motherhood thing right?
Why does every day feel the same, no matter what they do?
Why do they feel so alone?
The author, Amber Awni, takes her debut book and sheds a direct light on a topic otherwise submerged in shadows:
The visceral experience of postpartum depression and trying to claw a way out of it.
Combined with this, exploited labor touches upon the unrealistic expectations placed on a modern mother's shoulders. This is presented in satirical fashion and includes topics such as being considered the perfect housewife and working for the federal minimum wage.
Modern mothers will find themselves feeling seen while reading this collection of poems-smiling, laughing, and more than likely crying, amongst the pages.
