The Viral ‘She Deserved The Purse’ TikTok Trend Explained: A Heartwarming Movement Supporting Struggling Mothers
4 min readImage via TikTok
A viral trend called ‘She Deserved the Purse’ has been sweeping across TikTok, capturing the hearts of millions. The trend began with a simple yet powerful photo shared by TikTok user Danesha Gonzalez, showing an abandoned purse in a supermarketโs baby section. Gonzalez captioned the image “she deserved the purse,” sparking a viral movement rooted in empathy and generosity towards mothers.
How the Trend Started
The trend originated from Gonzalez’s viral post, which showcased a seemingly misplaced purse among baby products like diapers and baby formula. To Gonzalez, this purse symbolized the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. Her caption, “she deserved the purse,” reflected the idea that mothers often forego their own wants and needs to prioritize their children’s well-being.
The image and its caption resonated deeply with many, garnering over 20 million views. Social media users connected with the message of selflessness, especially those familiar with the financial struggles of raising children. The photo shed light on the emotional and financial sacrifices that many mothers make daily, turning this small, abandoned purse into a symbol of everything they forgo for their children.
@denaeshagonzalez To the Mother who chose themselves last, you deserve the world tonight and always.๐ค #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #parenting #parentsoftiktok โฌ original sound – ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐๐ต๐ฑ
TikTok Turns It Into a Trend
As the image gained traction, TikTokers across the U.S. began turning the sentiment into action. Inspired by the message, many users started leaving money, gift cards, and small notes in baby food packets, diaper boxes, and other baby-related items at stores. This act of kindness was labeled the ‘She Deserved the Purse’ trend.
One viral video that exemplifies the trend comes from TikToker Julia Knapp (@julieknapppp), whose post has amassed over 1.3 million views. In her video, Knapp explains the significance of the phrase “she deserved the purse” and recounts her own experience of becoming a mother at 19, struggling to afford basic necessities like diapers. Knapp, moved by the viral post, decided to leave a gift card hidden in a baby product at her local store, encouraging others to pay it forward.
@tabithaswatosh she deserved the purse ๐ซถ๐ป i love this trend sm
โฌ original sound – ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐๐ต๐ฑ
Another popular video from TikToker @tabithaswatosh, which has received over 9 million likes, shows her hiding money in various baby items at Target, continuing the movement of helping mothers in need. These acts of kindness are not only heartwarming but serve as a reminder of the financial burdens that many parents face, particularly during difficult economic times.
The Deeper Meaning Behind ‘She Deserved the Purse’
At its core, the ‘She Deserved the Purse’ trend is about recognizing the sacrifices mothers make every day. Motherhood is often rewarding, but it is equally full of compromises. As Gonzalezโs original post highlighted, many mothers have experienced moments where they had to put back something they wanted for themselves in order to afford something for their child.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost of raising a child is significant, with families spending an average of $840 a year on diapers alone. Formula can range from $800 to $3,000 annually, depending on the babyโs needs. In light of these financial demands, it’s no surprise that the image of a mother abandoning an item she wanted to afford something for her child resonated so strongly.
What began as a single viral photo has now grown into a widespread campaign of empathy and kindness. TikTok users from all walks of life are participating, leaving money in stores across the country to help ease the burden for struggling mothers. As one TikTok commenter eloquently put it:
“Crying ’cause itโs so much more than a purse, itโs a representation of all our sacrifices.โ
@julieknapppp SHE DESERVED THE PURSE! @Denaesha Gonzalez your video is about to help alot of mommas! Thank you @Abbey Fickley and cecily for showing the world there is still good! Lets do this โค๏ธ #shedeservedthepurse #momsoftiktok #momtok #dadsoftiktok โฌ Lights Are On – Instrumental – Edith Whiskers
The phrase “she deserved the purse” has become a rallying cry for parents who know the struggles of balancing personal desires with the financial responsibilities of raising a child. This trend has not only brought attention to the sacrifices mothers make but also inspired a movement to support them in tangible ways.
In a world often dominated by viral trends focused on entertainment, the ‘She Deserved the Purse’ movement stands out for its message of compassion and its real-world impact, reminding us all of the power of small acts of kindness.