[the_conductor]

From Time Magazine website:

"For generations, mothers have gotten the same old message when it comes to raising sons: beware of keeping him “too close.” A mom who nurtures a deep emotional bond will prevent him from growing up to be a strong, independent man. By refusing to cut those apron strings, she is on track to create the archetypal, effeminate, maladjusted “mama’s boy.” There’s one problem with this theory: it’s just not true..."

Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/03/16/the-myt...z1pKEGrLvM

RVF users' thoughts on the topic?

[MikeCF]

I've never really met a "mama's boy."

Most guys, when on their own, live pretty filthy lives. Bad diet, lots of Cheetos, take-out food, not doing laundry often, not folding clothes, being messy, leaving socks on the floor.

But they survive just fine without their moms.

Women find it annoying that men are messy, but oh well, that's just a gender difference rather than a fundamental flaw of men.

[Anon-A-Moose]

Lack of positive masculine experiences and worthwhile opportunity creates the mama's boy. It's hard for young men to really have drive when the odds are stacked against them, which I'm sure contributes to the rise of the pussification of American men. "Why should I drive hard to finish college and be top dog, if I'm only going to make barely enough to survive and be burdened by huge student loan paybacks? Why should I go out and try to pick up girls, if they're all fat and stupid and ugly? Why should I move out of my parents, if it's expensive and just means my quality of life and disposable income will drop? Fuck it, I'll keep playing video games!" You know why young men and boys get hooked on video games? They can compete and win in them. If they could have a better chance in life, in capitalism, a more fulfilling reward, I'm positive they would.


Wait, what was this thread originally about?

[Mrs. Chocolate]

My first boyfriend was a Mama's Boy. Tragic.
He could even think by himself.

[Parlay44]

There's a new show on TLC called Mama's Boys of the Bronx

http://m.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/w...MQNpleEFwJ

[BortimusPrime]

I was always under the impression the whole "Mama's Boy" thing was just a shaming tactic for women to get their fiancee/husband to side with them over the mother-in-law.

[Kitsune]

(03-17-2012 04:40 AM)BortimusPrime Wrote:  

I was always under the impression the whole "Mama's Boy" thing was just a shaming tactic for women to get their fiancee/husband to side with them over the mother-in-law.

In my experience, that is what it's been; a shaming exercise (Or attempt.)
I'm pretty close with my family, and that isn't an issue until the girl wants something.

As an example; 'I can't see you tomorrow, I'm spending the weekend at my parents'
'You're too close to your family you're not independent blah blah blah!'

Or, 'Why didn't you answer my 1500 texts in the last 20 minutes!1!'
'I was on the phone to my mother.'
'You're always on the phone to your mother blah blah.'

Of course, guys get the same with almost any other female that might supplant said girl in any way. It's a part of the 'you've gotta shape a man into what you want him to be' thing. Of course, they don't want you to get any opinions from anywhere other than them.

[Gmac]

I've met a few true momma's boys. Sad.

[BortimusPrime]

Well, I don't put up with girls that complain about me spending time with my family, mother would be ever so displeased if I did.

[the_conductor]

But how do you think a son should be brought up? Is it true that parents should let their son fall, hurt and learn moreso than their daughter?

And does too much "nurturing" and meddling by the mother have a feminizing influence on the son, causing him to grow up a mangina and not into proper manhood?

[Commander Shepard]

There are plenty of masculine men who were raised by single mothers, though some tend to exaggerate their masculinity to overcompensate for their lack of male foundation. Off course, there are effeminate men raised by women as well.Can't generalize.