Do Mothers Matter? - The Atlantic

Children have the right to be raised by their own married mother and father. If their own biological parents can't be available (sometimes through no fault of their own, let me hasten to say), the children deserve to be raised by a married, adoptive man and woman. The relationship a mother has with a son is different than that with a daughter. Both are unique. Both are incredibly special (I can speak from experience as both a daughter and a mother). The best of fathers cannot take the place of the relationship between a mother and her children (and vice versa). I have one of the best of fathers, and I'm married to one of the best of fathers, so again, I can speak from experience, and I would never jeopardize that unique relationship between a father and his children--it's too important. I can see, daily, the blessing of having, myself, enjoyed a relationship with both my procreators--mom and dad. Though both are special and unique, I can see differences in dynamics between my relationships with my daughters and my sons. For example, as my daughters mature and head into puberty, there are certain subjects I can speak on with more authority than book-learning, if you know what I mean. I can teach them, as a woman, how to interact appropriately with a member of the opposite sex, and when I tell them about carrying them for 9 months, I can personally share how excited I was to greet their arrival, how I cherished them from conception, etc., etc. Most importantly, when I show my love for their father, I show them by example that they have the right to expect the man who fathers their children to stay by their side as a husband, and not to settle for less; Concurrently, I show my boys that as males, they have the responsibility to stay by the woman with whom they will (most likely procreate), not as an incidental boyfriend, but as a husband, as equal partners. These interactions are all unique, and one relationship cannot be replaced by another, especially by another man taking my place. Is that due to my sexual orientation? I can tell you my kids could care less what that is. They're just glad their dad and I have proved our love for them and our opinion of their great worth, by being there for them (and each other) every day of their lives. How do I know? They tell me. Happy Mother's Day, every day of my married motherhood.

Still not sure mothers matter? Maybe this video will give you food for thought.