Do Men Love Their Children More Than Their Wives?

[IanForbes]

I've seen many examples of it and in marriage breakups there are usually problems with custody. It's always been said that women love the children more than men, but that's not always the case. Even in long term, so called "happy" marriages I notice men are often closer to their children than their wives.

[carmine]

It will always be the case that some men love their kids more than their wife, just as sadly some men (and mothers) don't care enough about them. I have to say Ian, i would dispute the view that mothers generally care more for their kids than fathers, and like your good self have noticed many cases where the father is more caring and closer to the child than the mother

[Fishenough]

In some cases, but many would describe it as a different kind of love. Easier, and cheaper , to let go of your children as they go about their own lives.

Even in long term, so called "happy" marriages I notice men are often closer to their children than their wives.

Yes in my happy marriage of over twenty years I'm equally close to both my wife and son; though during the tough times of menopause have to admit that I prefer my son's company. But I have seen many cases that fit that description to a T, and would have to say it's common within my own extended family.

Ian, why are you contemplating marriage and love well fishing in the Caribbean?

[Ulysses G.]

I would say that most women love the kids much more than their husband, but husbands would only realize they loved the children more than the wife when the wife tried to take their kids away from them.

[garyh]

One size will not fit all.

[wamberal]

The most important human urge is to reproduce ourselves. That is what "survival of the fittest" refers to - the fittest are those who manage to produce the greatest number of offspring.

So, yes, parents would "love" their children more than they love their spouses - because their children fulfil the overwhelming human ambition of the parents to reproduce themselves.

[dumball]

I believe there are multiple ways to look at this question , but first and foremost one has to answer the question "What is love ?". This is not so simple to answer as first perceived , you have to first dig into your personal feelings in your own situation and how you view other people , what attracts them to you and what is the driving force behind your relationship . Most people change as they grow older and personal factors in ones life start to grow for the better or the worse .

I was taught that love as it is bandied about , is not neccessarily love as perceived , more of a lust for the inbuilt need to procreate , love is love only and if you are able to give it to some-one in a commited manner with no asperations of if those feelings will be returned by the person to whom you give your love . In many instances what is actualy given and perceived is more along the lines of respect , love can grow into the equation as the closeness of two people grows as time goes by .

[BLUEEYEDTHAI]

I believe there are multiple ways to look at this question , but first and foremost one has to answer the question "What is love ?". This is not so simple to answer as first perceived , you have to first dig into your personal feelings in your own situation and how you view other people , what attracts them to you and what is the driving force behind your relationship . Most people change as they grow older and personal factors in ones life start to grow for the better or the worse .

I was taught that love as it is bandied about , is not neccessarily love as perceived , more of a lust for the inbuilt need to procreate , love is love only and if you are able to give it to some-one in a commited manner with no asperations of if those feelings will be returned by the person to whom you give your love . In many instances what is actualy given and perceived is more along the lines of respect , love can grow into the equation as the closeness of two people grows as time goes by .

Well put colin,I could not have said it better!

[LadyHeather]

Interesting question put on a forum where threads abound from men who owe back money in child support, men who have left their kids to grow without a father back in home country, men who are advised to dump the wife and leave the kid because she's more work than worth the effort, men asking questions if they have to take care of their Thai girlfriend's baby because she got knocked up, etc etc etc.

Personally, I think IanForbes has made a pretty asinine statement.

[Boo]

What does this have to do with Thailand?