“Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle reflects on the natural bond between mothers and their children, suggesting that mothers are more attached because they have a direct, undeniable connection to their offspring through childbirth. This certainty of biological motherhood creates a unique emotional bond. Fathers, on the other hand, may not have the same immediate and obvious connection, leading to the perception that their attachment might be less instinctive or certain. Aristotle touches on the psychological and biological aspects of parental attachment, which have been a topic of study for centuries.
While modern science has debunked some of the gendered assumptions in Aristotle’s view, particularly with advancements in genetics and reproductive technology, the emotional dynamic of maternal and paternal bonding still holds relevance today. Mothers often experience a stronger initial bond due to pregnancy and childbirth, but fathers, too, develop deep, lasting attachments over time as they actively engage in their children’s upbringing. The rise of paternal involvement in child-rearing in recent decades challenges the idea that mothers are inherently “fonder” but reaffirms the importance of certainty and connection in forming bonds.
A contemporary example can be seen in how parents bond with their children. Fathers, once excluded from certain early child-rearing roles, are increasingly recognized for the critical role they play in emotional development. Active fatherhood has become an important part of family dynamics, illustrating how emotional certainty and involvement—rather than biology alone—shapes the depth of the relationship. Aristotle’s observation offers insight into how evolutionary psychology influences early attachment but also leaves room for the nurturing bonds that develop in all forms of parental involvement.
