Maternal Instincts stem from...?

[MsDazzler]

Following up on the other two threads I made about children -

I was wondering... we all have heard about maternal instinct supposedly that all women have. Now I know there are a lot of women out there who do not want children nor have that maternal instinct at all...

Which leads me to wonder - for women who do have the maternal instinct, where does it stem from? High levels of estrogen? The mere presence of having an uterus and ovaries? Society?

I am wondering if I will suddenly start developing maternal instinct as my estrogen dosage go higher gradually and my brain is flooded with estrogen.

Anyone else can vouch for or gainsay against?   

[Caldwell]

I used to have plenty of estrogen, and my very own set of functioning reproductive organs. I never felt a "maternal instinct" at all. So there goes that theory.

Hormones won't suddenly make you one thing or another, you will be the same as you were before even with your brain "flooded with estrogen." Some people - yes, even men or those born into male bodies - like babies and want babies. That's it.

[stldrmgrl]

I used to have plenty of estrogen, and my very own set of functioning reproductive organs. I never felt a "maternal instinct" at all. So there goes that theory.

Hormones won't suddenly make you one thing or another, you will be the same as you were before even with your brain "flooded with estrogen." Some people - yes, even men or those born into male bodies - like babies and want babies. That's it.

I disagree.  While certainly the "mythical" maternal instincts seem a bit far fetched (i.e. mother and child apart from each other and the mother feeling her child in distress), I do believe they exist in a more realistic sense and do not only apply to biological mothers.  I have a three year old son and I can tell you I have developed, and continue to develop maternal instincts.  I refer to maternal instincts as an umbrella term for the loving and caring relationship a mother typically has with her child.  This is not to suggest that fathers do not have a loving and caring relationship with their children, it is however to suggest that the instincts are not usually the same in the mother and father.  As well, keep in mind that not all women develop these instincts.  So, as it is you said you do not have them, this does not mean all women do not.  Though in agreement, if one woman does and another doesn't, the suggestion that estrogen could be the cause, is unlikely.  Nonetheless, this does not result a conclusion that the instincts themselves do not exist.

Edited to perhaps offer a more detailed explanation in comparison to my first draft.

[Caldwell]

I disagree.  While certainly the "mythical" maternal instinct seems a bit far fetched (i.e. being apart from each other and feeling your child in distress), I do believe in motherly instincts.  Furthermore, I have a three year old son, and I can tell you I have developed, and am still developing, motherly instincts.  I refer motherly instincts as an umbrella term for the loving, caring relationship a mother typically has with her child.  As well, keep in mind that not all women develop these instincts.  So, as it is you do not have them, this does not suggest other women do not either.

So you didn't give a rat's ass about your kid before HRT?
I'm not saying it doesn't exist, if that's what you're disagreeing with. I know parents have "bonds" with their children, it's undeniable and proven. I'm just saying it's not caused by estrogen or the ability to have children.

[stldrmgrl]

So you didn't give a rat's ass about your kid before HRT?
I'm not saying it doesn't exist, if that's what you're disagreeing with. I know parents have "bonds" with their children, it's undeniable and proven. I'm just saying it's not caused by estrogen or the ability to have children.

First of all, you need to calm your attitude.  Second, don't ever speak or write about me and my son in that way.  You do not know me or anything about me, and nothing I wrote above suggests such a comment.  I love my son and I've always loved him.  You need to realize that not every person in the world is going to agree with your point of view, so chill out.  Given your attitude and until it changes, I am relieving myself from any further conversation with you.

[MsDazzler]

And you know, women tends to be more pressured to have children by others than men are... i.e., "Don't you feel your biological clock ticking?" or "When will you have a child?" or "Are you trying?", etc.

I wonder if that also fosters maternal instinct... I've heard unwilling mothers suddenly fall in love with their babies upon birth and develop maternal instinct, after not even feeling anything during those 9 months, the extreme example being those mothers who were going to give up their babies for surrogate parents or adoption suddenly changing their minds upon seeing the baby upon birth.

I also remember someone telling me that if the mother is planning on giving her baby away, she should never hold it or make eye contact with it upon giving birth or she instantly feels a bond upon seeing and touching it. 

[Anatta]

Kia Ora MsDaz,

My maternal instincts were fired up long before I started HRT... All my children were home births and I was there interacting with all, and cutting the cord...

It would seem some women are more maternal than others...

Metta Zenda

[Felix]

Oxytocin, altruism, survival/breeding instincts, kin/clan loyalty, those freakin cute big eyes that young things have...nothing unique to ciswomen.

[EmmaM]

Oxytocin, altruism, survival/breeding instincts, kin/clan loyalty, those freakin cute big eyes that young things have...nothing unique to ciswomen.

Absolutely.

I have the instinct because I have a kid. Probably happens to others around small children too.

[MsDazzler]

So what is the consenus? Maternal instinct is natural or nutured?