Family relationships can be complicated and different in various cultures. Still, one common theme is that people often focus more on their relationships with their mother’s side of the family than their father’s side. This phenomenon can be seen in many ways, like how much time you spend with each side of your family, how close you feel to them, or the stories that get passed down. But why does this occur?
Let’s explore the reasons why this is happening, like how people feel and the society and culture around them.
Cultural And Historical Influences
One main reason for the difference between the mom’s side and the dad’s side of the family is long-standing cultural and historical traditions. In many societies, there has always been a stronger connection between moms and their kids, which also includes their side of the family.
In the past, women usually took care of children and looked after the home. This responsibility often makes mothers spend much time with their children, getting close to them emotionally and physically.
On the other hand, men were usually viewed as the ones who earned money to support their families. This sharing of responsibilities usually led to fathers spending less time at home, meaning their family was less involved in the children’s daily lives.
Even though these traditional roles have changed significantly recently, remnants of these cultural norms still affect how families work together.
Societal Expectations And Stereotypes
Societal expectations plays important role in shaping how families interact. The stereotype of the nurturing mother and the distant father can perpetuate a preference for the maternal side of the family. Moms are usually expected to show more emotions, which helps them build closer bonds with their families. This can make their families more active in their children’s lives.
Also, stories in society often focus more on the connection between mothers and children, sometimes forgetting to acknowledge the importance of fathers. This can make it unfair when the mom’s family is more involved, and the dad’s family feels left out. This doesn’t mean that fathers don’t build strong connections with their children, but instead that society’s stories can sometimes hide the importance of dads.
Closeness And Practicality
The mother’s family may often live closer to the couple’s home because women usually stay connected with their families after getting married. This closeness naturally leads to spending more time together and being more involved in the children’s lives. Grandparents living close by are likelier to spend time with their grandchildren. This can help kids feel closer to their mom’s side of the family.
If the father’s family lives far away, they might not be able to be as involved because of the distance. This doesn’t mean they aren’t interested; seeing each other is harder. The kids might become closer to their mom’s family because they see them more often.
Connection And Relationship Dynamics
How families talk to each other can also affect how much one side of the family is involved in a child’s life. Women are usually seen as the primary talkers in families, keeping relationships and everyone close. This can strengthen the bond between the mother’s family and the children because the mother may be more likely to include her relatives.
Dads may only sometimes talk much with their families, weakening their connections. If the dad’s family isn’t as involved, it might be because they don’t talk much. Without regular communication, relationships can fade, making it seem like the dad’s family isn’t as interested.
Changes In Family Structure
In the past, these things have caused an imbalance. But now, families are changing. Dads are more involved in parenting, and gender roles are less strict. This means dads in the family will probably be more involved. Dads who spend more time with their kids are also better at building close relationships with their families, ensuring that everyone is equally part of their children’s lives.
Correcting The Disparity
For families who see that one side is more involved than the other, they can talk about it. They can talk about what they want and make sure both families participate in the kids’ lives. This might mean spending more time with the father’s family or having the father take charge of those relationships.
It is important to question common beliefs in society and see the important role that the father’s family can have. By including both sides of the family, kids can have more people and more exciting experiences to support them.
Fathers’ families may not be as involved in a child’s life because of cultural traditions, societal expectations, distance, and how they communicate. In the past, these things made it harder for both sides of the family to be equally involved, but things are changing now. Families can use technology and talk openly to ensure everyone is included and kids get the best of both worlds.]
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