Common myths about mothers shape the beliefs of mothers and others about what mothers are like. Given that mothers in many countries around the world are a scapegoated group, it is not surprising that most the myths about mothers are frequently used to demean mothers. Further, myths about mothers often shape assumptions about women and girls in general, since most female humans at some point become mothers and since it is often believed, whether or not data support the belief, that all females share certain biologically determined characteristics because of their potential to become mothers.