Importance of Mothers

(Successful Marriages and Families, Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, 2012, Hawkins, Dollahite, Draper. Ch. 12 Mothers as Nurtures, Erickson)

In the proclamation it states, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”  In the world today, there are plenty of voices that would undermine the value of mothers in our society. But, this is one of the most noblest and important of all professions. Spencer W. Kimball affirmed, “To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on the earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. ” Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters . The influence of woman cannot be overestimated in the raising of a generation of future leaders, teachers and parents.  David O. McKay declared, “Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world.” (Gospel Ideals, 1953, p. 452).  A study by John Bowlby showed the importance of the relationship between mother and child. Bowlby reported that when children were deprived of maternal care for extended periods in their early lives, they often developed into individuals who “lacked feeling, had superficial relationships, and exhibited hostile or antisocial tendencies” (Kobak, 1999, p. 23) In contrast, when mother and child have a healthy attachment to each other, the child is able to develop feelings that will help them understand, appreciate and empathize with others. (Bretherton & Munholland, 1999).