A Mother's Love...

An article in the Washington Times highlights a recent study on the special bond between mother and child. While many in academia and the social sciences try to make the case that the differences in child-rearing between mothers and fathers in negligible, the data in this study suggest otherwise. Sampling 2,000 mothers, 93 percent said the care of their children is "so unique" that no one else can replace it. The study was done by nonpartisan marriage and family advocacy think tank, the Institute for American Values (IAV).

While I'm sure the reality is that the IAV isn't completely "nonpartisan", the results of their study are telling. Psychologist Brenda Hunter, a representative of IAV says the mothers questioned came from a broad range of demographic groups.

What was revealing about the study, she said, is that the women almost unanimously rejected the notion that motherhood is too demanding.

"Sacrifice is not a dirty word," Mrs. Hunter said, noting that 94 percent of mothers agree that they had "gladly" made sacrifices for their children and only 3 percent say they were dissatisfied with their "life as a mother." And 81 percent describe mothering as "the most important thing" they do.

The idea that mothers are unique in the lives of children is time-honored, said Janice Shaw Crouse, senior fellow at Concerned Women for America's Beverly LaHaye Institute.

"It's one of the givens," she said. "A child who is hurt cries for mom. The child waking up in the middle of the night wants its mother... Men dying in foxholes will call for mom. Moms just hold a very special place in everybody's heart."

I know first hand the strength of this attachment simply from knowing my wife. We have three sons and I know exactly where ol' Dad is in the pecking order. To her credit, all three boys come first in her heart. And that's as it should be.

There are some cases where the mother-child relationship follows a most dysfunctional course, but by and large the love of a mother for her children is something powerfully unique. On this special day, we should all appreciate the fact that when life hands you lemons, mom is always there to make you lemonade. Happy Mother's Day.

Posted by: Gary at 04:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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