The "Mom Gene". I saw this story on Good Morning America online after my parents told me about it. They said the story made them think of me and that I should check it out. Did any of you see this? I wasn't sure what to make of it so I had to watch it a couple times. Apparently researchers at Rockefeller University believe that some women are born with a "Mom Gene" that gives them the instincts they need to be good mothers.
I'm not sure if I totally believe that some women are born with a "Mom Gene". I do however, believe that some women are just more maternal than others. Some women are just better with kids than others. I think the way this issue was covered made it seem like women without this gene are bad Moms, or maybe not as good as their Mommy peers. There is a wide range of Moms out there. I talked about that a little in my post about the Smother Mother.
When I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a Mom, but it certainly wasn't my life goal. I think that I am pretty good and patient with Savannah. I naturally transitioned from a working woman to a stay at home Mom without any problem. Does that mean I have the "Mom Gene"? If a woman chooses not to stay at home, loses patience easily or sends their kid to Grandma's every weekend (cause y'all know that those Moms exist) does that mean that she doesn't have the gene? I always thought that once you became a Mother that instinct to nurture just took over. Even if it's just to do the basics and nothing else.
I'm still trying to form an opinion about the "Mom Gene". I don't quite know what to think of it. I'd like to think that I have it, but I honestly wasn't mommy focused until I got pregnant. I baby sat my younger brothers as a teenager and no one died so I guess I was pretty nurturing then too, right? Does that mean this ability was always in me? What do you think about the "Mom Gene"? Do you think you have it? Do you know anyone who clearly does not?
I'm not sure if I totally believe that some women are born with a "Mom Gene". I do however, believe that some women are just more maternal than others. Some women are just better with kids than others. I think the way this issue was covered made it seem like women without this gene are bad Moms, or maybe not as good as their Mommy peers. There is a wide range of Moms out there. I talked about that a little in my post about the Smother Mother.
When I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a Mom, but it certainly wasn't my life goal. I think that I am pretty good and patient with Savannah. I naturally transitioned from a working woman to a stay at home Mom without any problem. Does that mean I have the "Mom Gene"? If a woman chooses not to stay at home, loses patience easily or sends their kid to Grandma's every weekend (cause y'all know that those Moms exist) does that mean that she doesn't have the gene? I always thought that once you became a Mother that instinct to nurture just took over. Even if it's just to do the basics and nothing else.
I'm still trying to form an opinion about the "Mom Gene". I don't quite know what to think of it. I'd like to think that I have it, but I honestly wasn't mommy focused until I got pregnant. I baby sat my younger brothers as a teenager and no one died so I guess I was pretty nurturing then too, right? Does that mean this ability was always in me? What do you think about the "Mom Gene"? Do you think you have it? Do you know anyone who clearly does not?
I don't know about having a "mom gene". I think that everyone always wants to label everything. If you have a child and you love that child and care for it, then you are a good mom. I don't think it has to look one specific way. I think women are told we have to have some sort of nurturing side in general. If you aren't sweet or soft spoken there is often an assumption that there is something "wrong". The truth is that generalizing and normalizing certain traits in people will always leave someone on the outside. Why bother? Why not take everyone on a case by case basis, and let people just be who they are?
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DeleteHmmmm...haven't heard about this yet.
ReplyDeleteI was kinda turned off by the opening statement about some women are "born to be a moms..."
Um, sure there are some women who are more maternal, more nurturing, blah, blah, blah. But I've just always taken it as more of a personality trait -- not necessarily a "gene." And I think that most women who have babies sort of naturally develop that motherly persona. I wasn't a "baby" person before I had my own, and now I think I'm a great mother -- complete with maternal instinct and nurturing superpowers. :)
But seriously, science is science and there will always be something out there that they're studying. Can't wait to hear about the "daddy" gene one day.
GK I agree! I think the way the story was covered was a big turn off. We all have a nurturing side and we all show it differently.
ReplyDeleteI always knew I would have kids but I don't know about this mom gene stuff. I think a lot of mothers blossom after they give birth. I do know several ladies who absolutely do not like kids and do not wish to have any and that is ok. We all do not have to be mothers.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. We all don't have to be mothers. It's hard for me to believe that someone who chooses not to have kids wouldn't make a great mother if they had to step into that role. Like you said many women blossom into great Moms.
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