Americanisms

[~ vortex ~]

What is meant by the term "Soccer Mom" in the USA?

[Clanad]

Generally a term that applies to a suburban, young mother, driving an oversized SUV, taking her children to soccer matches in which the children (one or more) play. Means multi-tasking... being very busy. It came tot he fore front during the 2004 Presidential election as being a large group of potential voters targeted by both political parties... Can be (though not always) somewhat condescending or even derogatory...

[Kingaroo]

I wouldn't have said (as Clanad did) that multi-tasking was an important part of the implication. As a demographic description, it implies middle to upper income, probably fairly educated, and able to afford to not work and spend the day chauffeuring children to nonessential "enrichment" activities. A soccer mom puts a high priority on having the best the family can afford. She is concerned more about her own family's well-being than foreign policy or poor people or the environment etc. She is likely to vote based on keeping the economy strong, favoring legislation that supports her "family values" (though not necessarily conservative ones).

It's derogatory when used by upper class or intellectuals because it implies the soccer mom is beneath them (even though she my be richer and more educated than average). It's also derogatory when used by lower class because it implies she's spoiled and shallow and doesn't understand the "real" problems other people face. Hence women who might meet the description feel a little defensive or sheepish when they admit to being one.

NASCAR dads are another demographic group named by political strategists. They are more blue collar than soccer moms.