Mothers selected to represent various subcultures in the Midwest were queried in group tests and individual interviews on their ideas of parenthood. Mothers of lower social classes, Negroes, and those with older children tend to have more traditional conceptions than do mothers of higher status, white mothers, and those with younger children. Conversely, developmental conceptions tend to be most frequent among those of the upper classes, white mothers, and those with younger children. Some conceptions are common to all groups studied.