Do you believe that maternal instinct is a myth?

Question

And do you have any points to back this up(if you believe so)?

Answer 1

I believe it's up to maternal instinctivst to proove it isn't.

Answer 2

I think maternal instinct is a myth. It's not an instinct for every woman who has a baby to automatically love and care for that child. There are plenty of examples backing that point up. There are lots of girls who have babies (when they are teens and even pre-teens) -- I think it's unfair to assume they would or should have a 'maternal instinct.'

Mothers who want children and raise children develop what could be called a 'maternal instinct.' You get to know the sound of your child's cry, you get to know what one cry means versus the other, you know what they need (food, sleep, a hug) ... But I don't think it comes with some inborn thing, it comes with loving a child. I think dads have instincts as parents too, it's just not talked about or romanticized as much as 'maternal instinct.'

Answer 3

No, I think maternal instinct is very real. Look at the animal kingdom. Unfortunately what seems to have happened to the human race is that from the moment we are born we are told that it is good for us to take, and not particularly beneficial to give. We are subtly (sometimes not so subtly) influenced by a million and one product manufactures, brainwashed if you like. However I still feel that the instinct for a mother to care for her offspring is within us, but for many it's like trying to hear somebody whispering to us at a rock concert. In my experience I have found that those woman who are able and willing to act out their maternal instincts are usually woman who pay little, or less attention to the cacophony of voices telling us to think of ourselves first and other later. 50 years ago the maternal instinct could be seen in most homes. Today many woman are too busy thinking of their own needs first and their child's second. It's the unfortunate, very unfortunate, result of capitalism in full swing and results in the slow breakdown in society that we are witnessing in western society's.

Answer 4

I do not think a childless woman has the credibility to talk about maternal instincts, nor do men (that goes for Dr. Spock) who was a pediatrician, not a physiologist or expert in female health and physiology. That being said, I will be a bit of a hypocrite and say that even though I have no children of my own, I care for and teach 18 of them Monday-Friday. I am a teacher. I feel that instinct and even often refer to the 18, 6 or 7 year olds as "my babies", as do many other teachers...even those with their own children. We become protective of them. My husband is a teacher as well. I do see him having more of a fatherly role with his students, especially since many no longer have father actively involved in their lives. However rather than protecting them, he take on more of a "tough love" policy. Wanting them to do and be their best and recognizing there are sacrifices and consequences that students sometimes have to make if they are not.

Answer 5

Maternal instinct, and often paternal instinct too, are essential for the survival of any species. Proof? Animals automatically look after their young, they are not taught to do so. If it didn't exist then the fragile offspring would stand no chance of survival . We humans may be 'taught' by our mothers 'how to' care for a baby, but the DESIRE to do so is generally speaking innate.

Answer 6

Maternal instincts are not a myth. They are behavioral patterns imprinted in our minds. All animals have them. Many of the things that we do are learned but there are many that are instinctual.

Any species basic function is procreate. That's why parents in the animal kingdom (humans included) protect their young, fiercely, in order to ensure the survival of the species.

Answer 7

Do you ask with regard to the human being or the animal kingdom?

Not all females of any species will contain the genetic makeup or brain response mechanisms to "instinctively be a mother" to their offspring---even in the animal kingdom.

http://grandin.com/references/genetics.html

This article speaks on the Behavioral Genetics and Animal Science. Some of the points in this article support my conclusions.

However, what separates us from the animals is our ability to weigh the benefits and consequences of situations, make decisions, and choose the most appropriate responses. Human beings can actually choose not to have "offspring". Animals, however, cannot decide NOT to be animals. They must follow their genetic codes of being animals.

Answer 8

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT MATERNAL INSTINCT EXIST AND IS NOT A MYTH AT ALL. THE FEMALE (UNDOUBTALY THE BETTER PART OF THE WORLD) THROUGH THE SO CALLED EVOLUTION HAS NOT CHANGED HER INBRED INSTINCT..IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN HER AND THE MYTH FOR ME IS THAT'S OBSOLETE AND OLD-FASHIONED..

Answer 9

No...but that's not to say every woman has them either.

I think the instinct is well documented from being protective to extreme grieving when there's a loss.

Those without the instinct are able to walk away or neglect their offspring.

Answer 10

Yeah I don't believe it exists. I've never wanted children and everybody has always told me that would change and my instincts would kick in one day. Well I'm 36 now and still don't want any!!

Answer 11

Maternal and paternal instincts are just proof we are human animals by our genome, evolution and nature we live in.