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investigated the emotional bond (reciprocity) formed between infants and their mothers. Attachment theory proposes that in the case of "mother's boys", their intense dependency on their primary caregiver (the mother) results in a reluctance to assert independence, heightened anxiety in her absence,
404:, a man who still lives with his mother in his late 20's. Howard's relationship with his overbearing mother is a recurring source of humour. His constant need for his mother's approval and his reluctance to fully separate from her highlights the stereotype of the mother's boy in western culture.
282:
following
Ainsworth's research, such as the study by Van IJ & K highlighted cultural differences in attachment types, with insecure attachment being more prevalent in collectivist Asian cultures (Japan, China, India) in comparison to the Western individualistic cultures (Germany, UK, USA).
167:
can occur, resulting in the child becoming "stuck" with phallic personality traits into adulthood. These phallic personality traits are depicted by a man's over dependence on his mother, both emotionally and physically. Freud argues this occurrence is particularly noticeable in cases of absent
160:", when the boy fears he may be castrated by his own father. To resolve and overcome this conflict, the boy typically gives up his love for his mother, and instead begins to identity with his father. This enables him to internalise traits and personalities observed from the same sex parent.
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identified that parenting styles characterised by overprotection and lack of boundaries may exacerbate an insecure attachment style and intensify "mother's boy" dynamics. Attachment studies therefore highlights the importance of early attachment and parenting styles in shaping individuals'
423:
intense and unhealthy relationship with his mother depicts the dark side of being a mother's boy. Norman's deep emotional attachment to his mother, coupled with her extreme influence, contributes to his descent into madness and eventual transformation into an infamous killer in the film.
104:, provides a key psychological explanation for human gender development. 'Gender development' refers to a process in which individuals come to understand and internalise gender-related concepts and roles. It is a gradual formation of cognitive frameworks and
383:, where character Devi Vishwakumar is rejected by her love interest Des, as his mother disapproves of their relationship, stating "Look, Devi, you’re cool and all, but dating you isn’t worth angering my mom. I mean, she still pays for my phone.”
299:(the virtue of showing respect for one's parents and elders). Sons are traditionally expected to show respect and obedience to their mothers as a sign of familial honour due to the mother's traditional gender role of being a homemaker.
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males who maintain a close relationship with their mothers. It may enforce existing gender stereotypes that men should be strong and not emotionally reliant on their mothers, which could invalidate their emotional bonds with mothers.
739:
Michael J. Diamond (2004) The shaping of masculinity: Revisioning boys turning away from their mothers to construct male gender identity, The
International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 85:2, 359-379, DOI: 10.1516/U8XV-LG0A-WXNW-1285
115:
in shaping human behaviour and personality. This
Freudian perspective emerged in the early 1900's, in which he addressed physical traits such as being a "mother's boy" by exploring and resolving conflicts within the internal mind.
140:" when children are 3-6 years old as they begin gender development. Prior to the phallic stage, children have no concept nor awareness of gender. This notion is further supported by Kohlberg's theory of gender development.
294:
The term "mother's boy" carries negative connotations in
Western cultures. By contrast, Asian cultures, including those in countries like India, Pakistan, and China, often place a strong emphasis on family values and
225:
Further studies has indicated that children who develop an insecure attachment style with their mothers especially exhibit difficulties in forming healthy relationships in adulthood. Additionally, psychologist
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at an age at which he is expected to be self-reliant (e.g. live on his own, earn his own money, be married). Use of this phrase is first attested in 1901. The term mama's boy has a connotation of
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820:
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The term "mother's boy" is perceived differently across cultures and media representations due to varying cultural attitudes towards masculinity and gender roles of males in society.
148:
The
Oedipus complex is defined by a boy's unconscious, incestuous feelings toward his mother. This is accompanied by jealousy and hostility toward his father, whom the boy deems as a
274:
Similar limitations can also be identified in Mary
Ainsworth's attachment theory in 1970. Her "strange situation" study has been criticised for its ethnocentric bias and lack of
136:, each marked by various conflicts that children must "overcome" in order to successfully progress onto the next. The Oedipus complex/conflict is encountered in the "
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in 1970, she explored the long term implications of various attachment styles for adult functioning. She identified three primary attachment styles in children:
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https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/abs/bowlbyainsworth-attachment-theory/3915528486A6062F4DBEF0720406C462
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with the father causes the boy to seek gender identification with the mother instead, thus leading to what modern society calls a "mother's boy".
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wrote that a child's identification with the same-sex parent is the successful resolution of the
Oedipus complex. This theory came into the
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263:. Moreover, Freud's work only reflects the cultural and historical context of late 19th century Vienna, leading to concerns about
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31:
645:
Freeman, Tabitha. 2008. “Psychoanalytic
Concepts of Fatherhood: Patriarchal Paradoxes and the Presence of an Absent Authority.”
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and scientific rigour. As his methodology was largely grounded in case studies of the unconscious mind, his findings also lack
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Overall, the term "mother's boy" reflects the complex dynamics observed in mother-son relationships amongst
Western society.
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667:"Attachment, Exploration, and Separation: Illustrated by the Behavior of One-Year-Olds in a Strange Situation"
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The
Freudian psychoanalytic theory, from which the term "mother's boy" stems, can be largely criticised in
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Tarzian, M., Ndrio, M., & Fakoya, A. O. (2023). An Introduction and Brief Overview of Psychoanalysis.
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Benoit D. (2004). Infant-parent attachment: Definition, types, antecedents, measurement and outcome.
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Kuppens, S., & Ceulemans, E. (2019). Parenting Styles: A Closer Look at a Well-Known Concept.
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The term "mother's boy" is not without its criticisms and controversies due to its potential to
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832:"Cross-Cultural Patterns of Attachment: A Meta-Analysis of the Strange Situation 1988"
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for his mother's affection. However, this desire is tempered by the boy's fear of
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https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/filial-piety#google_vignette.
845:"Cross-Cultural Patterns of Attachment: A Meta-Analysis of the Strange Situation"
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In the psychoanalytic theory, Sigmund Freud highlighted the significance of the
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Boothe, Brigitte . 2017. “(PDF) Oedipus Complex.” ResearchGate. January 2017.
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Cambridge Dictionary. 2024. “Filial Piety.” @CambridgeWords. March 20, 2024.
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532:"Theories of Gender Development | Intro to Communication + Public Speaking"
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https://study.com/academy/lesson/gender-development-overview-theories.html
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The mother's boy phenomenon is also comically portrayed in other popular
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Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1978). The Bowlby-Ainsworth attachment theory.
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315860460_Oedipus_Complex.
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However, if the psychosexual Oedipus conflict remains unresolved,
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and difficulty forming and maintaining relationships beyond the
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https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1516/U8XV-LG0A-WXNW-1285
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to have sexual relations with the parent of the opposite sex.
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van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.; Kroonenberg, Pieter M. (1988).
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and weakness. The counter term, for women, would be a
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Gender Development Overview, Theories & Examples.
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Freud proposed that child development occurs in five
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The psychoanalytic theory, often referred to as the
665:Ainsworth, Mary D. Salter; Bell, Silvia M. (1970).
444:– fictional serial killer codependent on his mother
407:More famously, in the 1960's American horror films
108:in relation to gender dynamics amongst society.
123:Sigmund Freud photographed by Max Halberstadt.
27:Man who is excessively attached to his mother
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819:(3), 436–438. doi:10.1017/S0140525X00075828
341:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
651:https://doi.org/10.1080/15240650801935156.
762:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1242-x
361:Learn how and when to remove this message
519:A Critical Dictionary of Psychoanalysis
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235:and overall psychological well-being.
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595:"Cognition and gender development"
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919:Pejorative terms for effeminacy
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373:This was portrayed in the 2020
40:, also commonly and informally
721:Paediatrics & child health
554:Goist, E. (2023, October 29).
202:"strange situation" experiment
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813:Behavioral and Brain Sciences
773:Bartlett, Francis H. (1939).
287:Cultural and media depictions
219:Insecure-resistant attachment
156:from his father, leading to "
214:Insecure-avoidant attachment
239:Criticism and controversies
168:fathers, where the lack of
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775:"The Limitations of Freud"
91:Psychological explanations
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536:courses.lumenlearning.com
303:Notable examples in media
87:in America in the 1940s.
448:Jewish mother stereotype
253:contemporary psychology
233:interpersonal behaviour
521:(London, 2nd Ed. 1995)
478:Romantic relationships
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102:psychodynamic approach
67:In classical Freudian
909:Male stock characters
779:Science & Society
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96:Psychoanalytic theory
85:popular consciousness
335:improve this section
30:For other uses, see
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265:cultural relativism
134:psychosexual stages
128:Psychosexual stages
257:empirical evidence
158:castration anxiety
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75:denotes a child's
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473:John Bowlby
416:Bates Motel
396:, starring
186:John Bowlby
154:retaliation
46:mommy's boy
42:mummy's boy
914:Motherhood
903:Categories
604:2024-03-21
541:2024-03-21
503:29 January
484:References
388:TV sitcoms
377:TV sitcom
245:stigmatise
58:effeminacy
50:mama's boy
869:0009-3920
791:0036-8237
691:0009-3920
620:jstor.org
322:does not
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431:See also
421:Norman's
390:such as
351:May 2024
165:fixation
877:1130396
707:5490680
699:1127388
375:Netflix
343:removed
328:sources
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410:Psycho
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865:ISSN
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703:PMID
687:ISSN
505:2020
413:and
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324:cite
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