Katharina Buczek
“We do not pick [our relationship with in-laws] as they are unintended consequences,” the study said.
And although both genders divulged experiencing similar conflict levels with their parental in-laws, mothers reported a slight difference.
They reported having less conflict with their daughters’ partners than with their sons’ partners.
Dr. Terri Apter, author of the renowned in-law book “What Do You Want From Me?”, explained how this slight difference likely germinates from stereotypes of female competition.
“The conflict often arises from an assumption that each is criticizing or undermining the other woman. But, this mutual unease may have less to do with actual attitudes and far more to do with persistent female stereotypes that few of us manage to shake off completely,” Dr. Apter said.
Unsurprisingly, fathers reported a different phenomenon. They experience more conflict with their own daughters’ partners.
The researchers believe that this, too, harks back to a paternal instinct to protect. Nonetheless, these defensive attitudes will likely lessen as the relationship matures.
So, while navigating relationships with in-laws, remember that much of their attitudes fall back on the instinct to care for their child. With time and understanding, these familial divisions can be squashed.
To read the study’s complete findings, visit the link here.
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