Historically, media often leaned toward two extremes: the "Saintly Mother" or the "Evil Stepmother." However, contemporary entertainment has moved toward a more nuanced, albeit uncomfortable, exploration of maternal abuse.

In literature and film, certain "types" of toxic maternal figures frequently appear, each causing unique harm to their daughters: I'm Glad My Mom Died

We cannot discuss 2025 entertainment without TikTok and YouTube Shorts. The keyword "abuse motherdaughter15" is not just searched on Google; it is a thriving, problematic community on social media.

Toni Morrison’s God Help the Child is a notable example that examines childhood trauma and the deep-seated conflicts within mother-daughter relationships in the context of race and culture.