Do children need mothers?

Question

This is not a question posed to cause offence, but one of many we are required to investigate as part of our university induction.

Whats required is wether or not we think it relates to psychology.

I personally feel it relates to various topics including developmental psychology and sociology combined.

Its a serious enough question and one that I would be grateful for intelligent feedback and constructive comments.

Regards

James.

Answer 1

James,

I was raised by a single mom and my best friend was raised by a sinle dad. neither one of our parents remarried. I am as a result more thoughtful of women, I cook I clean, I'm my wifes dream husband in many aspects. although I'm still very manly, I have a lot more female insight from being around women all my life.

My best friend on the other hand is rude to women, can't have a meaningful relationship and can't figure women out.

So yes, from my own very small understanding of it, yes boys need to be around their mother to understand how to treat a lady. We as father say "Don't talk to your mother like that" several times to our boys (I know I do) while its just me and the boys I let them say whatever they want as long as no one is around. My father was the same way, hell at 15 I tell him about girls I was dating and the bases i got to. as long as mom never found out, dad was very understanding. I think without a mother present I would think thats how everyone including women behaved, not just men when they are away from mom, wife, women in general.

Answer 2

I do believe that all children need mothers. Traditionally, the mother figure is the one who instils the values and morals in a child early. I am not saying a father cannot do this, but it is traditionally mom. Also, if the child id a girl then there is the obvious girl "problems" that only a women can understand. I however do not believe that the absence of a mother...or a father relates to the psychi. Psychiatrists and some people like to blame mental problems on a parent. I do not believe that this is a viable excuse. If people keep blaming other people for their actions then this world will never be better. Yes, children without either parent will feel a void, but their mental disturbances are because of them.

Answer 3

A lot of studies show that the mother is important for early socialisation, and when the mother is absent for periods of time it can cause socialisation problems in later life.
We did all this uni last semester, but I've been on practise placement for 3 months, and have, of course, forgotten more than I learned. I do remember that people who are separated from their mother in their infancy and early childhood (up to about 5 or 6) have a tendency to find it difficult to function in groups and will not participate in discussion to the same degree.
When referring to "mother" however, I believe it can be transferred to any "mother" figure, even a male. I don't believe there is any hard evidence that from a psychological standpoint children need a female presence to lead a "normal" life. I wish I could remember the name of the psychologist who pioneered this theory but it's totally escaped me and I can't find it anywhere.

Answer 4

I am very old fashioned and have grown up with a mother and father that are still happily married.
I believe that it is very important for a child to grow up with both mother and father as this helps the child to develop relationships in society. A child needs a good role model.
I personal feel that a mother that goes out to work and passes their child on to a nanna is not be fair on the child and this can not help the mother and child relationship. I understand that in many cases this is needed to be able to support the child and give the child and parent/s all they need to live.

When i have children i plan to be able to look after them at home until they are at school then i shall find a part time job, because i believe that my partner and i are the most important part of that childs life

Answer 5

I would think that in modern society, then yes, children need mothers and fathers. For a female child especially, a mother is the main role model and unless the child had a mother (not neccessarily a biological mother) they may feel that they have no role model. I am not saying that male children dont need a mother,its important for their development to realise the different roles between the sexes and if they have a good relationship with their mother, then this should hopefully lead to a good relationship with females in general.

Answer 6

I think personally, children do need a female role model to relate to and girls need to learn the female "role" off of a female as boys need to learn a male "role" off a father. Maternal deprivation can lead to unwanted effects. Obviously it doesn't mean that the genetic mother can be a better role model as long as the child receives moral development, learns about pro and anti social behaviour and is nurtured. Might i suggest you read about Bowlby, Goldfarb, Rutter and Ainsworth if you haven't already done so. They all put across interesting theories. Sometimes a mother can have a negative effect on children thus leading to attachment problems. In theory all children need a mother of sorts, it just depends on what type of mother they get. As long as the "mother" provides a stable and loving upbringing then that is all that counts

Answer 7

They would need a parent figure in the early stages as the will die, without being fed and taken care off....but as with the feral children that grow up with wild animals or dogs, the children will become like them and even bark like them . To be a stable human we need to learn everything form opening a can to how to open a door by watching people and or parent. Does not have to be a mother as such but a care giver. There was a documentry on C4 about kids being dogs...watch it.

Answer 8

Its a rather silly question to be born you need a mother therefore we all need mothers I take it you mean the nurcher a mother gives a child. Then no the mother would need the child more than the child needs her as a newborn will bond with the one who cares for it Whilst the mothers awareness and love is a developed sense

Answer 9

Hi James.
I believe strongly that children need a mother.
A Mothers role is to provide stability and teach a child all the skills he/she needs for a healthy development.

If a child for example is brought up with no defined adult role model (i.e mum or dad) than that child will already have the burden of growing up to feel unwanted. (Maybe become somewhat bitter)

A child with no mother is likely (in my opinion) to go one of two ways. Either lack confidence and struggle to achieve, forever feeling alone and trying to lock on to someone. Or Achieve and strive in education and lack effection towards others.

There is no right or wrong answer as every single child is different and children are able to adjust somewhat to what they are dealt. But for the best interest for the child, every child needs his/her mum.

Answer 10

A childs needs someone to take care of them from birth,it doesnt have to be the mother,just someone consistent..what of the mums who die shortly after birth & the fathers raise the children or mums who die young,Im sure the fathers have done a fine job raising them.what really makes a difference I think is not if its mum or dad or gran or grandad but how a child is brought up,if a child has no bounderies or disipline or love they wont grow up to be able to behave properly or display emotions like they should.