I want to keep this super vague in case someone I know finds it, so I know this must be hard to assess. Might delete later —

A boy in my family is being raised by a single mother, father was never in the picture. He has had behavioral issues in the past. They now have a male figure in their lives that has been trusted with sharing disciplinary duties and his behavior seems to have changed for the better, a lot. The man seems very nice. But I’ve noticed that sometimes if he gets disciplined by my uncle or another man that he won’t have to be told nearly as many times as he does if I do it or another woman. Of course it must be difficult for a boy to grow up without a paternal figure or a girl to grow up without a maternal one so I understand that as best I can. Of course he wants a paternal connection. But am I overreacting to think he respects men more than women and is learning to be misogynistic? I think everyone in the family would like that not to happen but it seems like I’m the only one with this concern. He is a young kid so it might just be normal childhood stuff but I have no idea and I would hate for this to continue if it is a valid concern.

Question

I want to keep this super vague in case someone I know finds it, so I know this must be hard to assess. Might delete later —

A boy in my family is being raised by a single mother, father was never in the picture. He has had behavioral issues in the past. They now have a male figure in their lives that has been trusted with sharing disciplinary duties and his behavior seems to have changed for the better, a lot. The man seems very nice. But I’ve noticed that sometimes if he gets disciplined by my uncle or another man that he won’t have to be told nearly as many times as he does if I do it or another woman. Of course it must be difficult for a boy to grow up without a paternal figure or a girl to grow up without a maternal one so I understand that as best I can. Of course he wants a paternal connection. But am I overreacting to think he respects men more than women and is learning to be misogynistic? I think everyone in the family would like that not to happen but it seems like I’m the only one with this concern. He is a young kid so it might just be normal childhood stuff but I have no idea and I would hate for this to continue if it is a valid concern.

Simplifier · Accepted Answer

Okay, let's break this down simply. It sounds like you're worried that a young boy in your family might be learning to respect men more than women, and you're seeing some signs that make you uneasy.

Think of it like this: kids often look for role models, especially when they're missing a parent. It's natural for a boy without a dad to crave that male connection. When a trusted man steps in and provides discipline, the boy might be more receptive simply because he's seeking that connection and g

Trauma-Informed Therapist · Answer

It's understandable that you're concerned about this young boy's development and the potential for him to internalize harmful gender biases. It's important to consider that children who have experienced inconsistent or absent parental figures may develop different attachment styles and responses to authority. It's possible that the boy's improved behavior with a male figure is related to his longing for a paternal connection and a desire to please him.

However, your concern about potential miso

Child Development Psychologist · Answer

It's understandable to be concerned about a child's development, especially when you observe potential patterns in their behavior. At this age, children are actively learning about social roles and expectations, often through observation and imitation. The presence of a consistent male figure can indeed be beneficial, particularly if the child has been lacking one. It's not necessarily about respecting men more than women, but rather about responding to authority figures in ways that feel safe a

Pediatric Behavioral Therapist · Answer

It's understandable that you're concerned about this young boy's behavior and the potential for him to develop disrespectful attitudes towards women. It's true that children often respond differently to various authority figures, and the absence of a consistent male role model can influence a child's behavior. However, it's important to avoid jumping to conclusions about misogyny at this stage.

Instead of focusing on gender dynamics, let's explore the possibility of behavioral patterns. It coul

Family Therapist Specializing in Sibling Rivalry · Answer

It's understandable that you're concerned about this young boy's development and the potential for him to internalize harmful biases. Sibling dynamics, and in this case, the dynamics within a family system, are complex, and it's wise to be proactive in addressing potential issues. It's not uncommon for children to respond differently to authority figures based on gender, especially when there's a perceived absence of a parental figure.

It's important to consider that his behavior may not necess

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Pediatric Behavioral Therapist

Family Therapist Specializing in Sibling Rivalry

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Simplifier

Trauma-Informed Therapist

Child Development Psychologist

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