The word “mama’s boy” might be a considered a derogatory term but some studies prove that mama’s boys experience more success later in life by havinga close relationship with their mother.
The mother-son bond commonly known as “mama’s boys” might seem like sons that are dependent on their mother, but this can result in success later in life. Many people might perceive mama’s boys as being weak from being “coddled” by his mother.
Harvard University conducted The Grant Study for two years starting in 2012 studied the personality changes through the years between individuals finding that men who had a close relationship with their mother performed better at school and work. The study also showed men with close relationships with their mothers earn a higher annual salary compared to those who don’t.
The study also showed a correlation with mental health as a majority of mama’s boys manage dementia and Alzheimer’s better as men grow older. Another study published in Child Development involving more than 6,000children concluded that baby boys without a strong attachment to their mothers are more likely to be destructive and aggressive children.
The Child Development study also determined that boys without a close relationship with their mother are more likely to develop anxiety that carries a fear of betrayal and intimacy into their adult years. According to the study, this behavior was a result of having the first woman involved in their lives push them away and reject any affection towards them.
Another study conducted by the American Psychological Association with 426 middle-school boys from the New York City public school system results indicating boys close to their mothers had fewer cases of depression, anxiety, and had better grades overall. The boys close to their mothers in this study also were less likely to define masculinity as being self-reliant, tough, and stoic.
The most interesting part of these studies indicated that boys having a close relationship with their fathers didn’t have the same effect. I guess therefore there aren’t that many “papa’s boys” and if someone calls your child a “mama’s boy” just reference these studies that prove it should be a compliment instead of an insult.
