What does it mean when an 18 month old is scared of male strangers?

Question

but is very friendly and social to female strangers as if she knows them. If it's a guy she's scared and she'll cling to you and hide in your legs or arms.

Answer 1

Absolutly nothing!! my cousins son was scared ****less of all male strangers as well till about 18 months, he used to be scared of me and even my uncle! (kids grandfather) but now it (this fear) has faded on its own, hes still a little more cautios at first but then he'll run right up to you and want to be played with. So dont worry it will pass =)

FYI ive heard of this in a lot of other little kids as well, not my son however even at 6 months dont mater if your male, female, tall short, black, white, whatever if you bounce him or tickle him hes your best friend =)

Answer 2

Stranger anxiety is perfectly normal at this age. She's probably very friendly towards females due to the mother-child bond assuming that mom is the primary caregiver.

Answer 3

Do she have a father figure in her life usually children that grow up without a father are uncomfortable around men another explaination is that someone may have abused her (male figure) i am not assuming anything but those are the only two things that i can think of.

Answer 4

It means she is going through her "I'm scared of men" phase. I take it her daddy isn't around her much during the day. That is why...usually the woman is the one who nurtures, the man is more often than not at work all day and the child doesn't have as much interaction with the male parent.

Answer 5

Women are less intimidating. Men are more. Children often go through a stage where they have stranger anxiety, but it doesn't mean they are scared of ALL strangers, just ones that intimidate them.

Answer 6

She just senses that females are more maternal like Mom and finds men harder to figure out. Let her spend more time with her Dad and other male relatives and she will outgrow this shyness. It is a good sign that she is sensitive to people and she will probably grow up to be someone who is very perceptive.

Answer 7

I don't think it means anything. My 17 month old daughter is afraid of the vacuum, and sticky fingers. If she was age 5 and acting like that then I would worry about what men are in her life that might be causing this.

Answer 8

my son was exactly the same except he would scream and cry and it was towards woman well i found the reason for him was that he was only with me all day so there for didnt except woman but seeing as tho his dad was at work for long periods thou the day men in treaged him so he got on quiet well with them well most times lol i found the solution to my sons problem and that was to surround him with as many people as possible andkeep doing this for long periods of time he is now 2 and alot better he still has moments but he is still only a baby.... cheak and see if she is scared for a reason as well it may be something small but it could be huge someone may have hurt her by acciedent or on purpose...

Answer 9

this is the age that they start noticing a difference between people that look like mommies and people who don't. it doesn't mean anything bad, it means her mind is developing according to the time schedule it should. she's doing fine, just smile and work with her, don't help her freak out, but don't tell her not to either. just say something like, "Yes, there's a boy/man/guy He's not a mommy is he? But I see he has his little boy with him, he must be a daddy, huh?" etc. help her thru the thought process.

Answer 10

It is very normal. Don't push her. She will warm up when she know them. They are different then mom and it scares her. She is learning stranger anxiety and will over come it soon. Just be patient