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Comment by wizzard | Hacker News Reader

> For much of this, we have over-involved, over-concerned mothers to thank (and a bunch of dads that think like moms).

What a hateful, sexist notion to put in the middle of an otherwise articulate comment.

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I wouldn't generalize it like the parent, but it's dfinitely true for ma and many of my friends. Our mothers were very involved and concerned, our fathers - less so. They wouldn't worry that much that something bad would happen. The attitude towards risk is a known differentiator between the two sexes, so there is some truth in that otherwise a bit politically incorrect and impolite statement.

People who are not actively involved with small children, often overestimate or underestimate what kids can do. In case of uninvolved fathers, it is likely the case of them rarely be there so rarely have experience with how easily and what exactly kids can mess up. Unlike involved parent who has that experience.

Or what kids actually are able to.

That experience effect is likely much larger then whatever general risk-taking attitude by gender is.

"Hateful" is such a corny overused word these days. Childish exaggeration.

It's not an exaggeration. Try reading through the article this person recommended for another interesting perspective on mothers and girls.

Granted, "scornful and stupid" is a better description than "hateful". But "Childish exaggeration" is also an exaggeration. Next time you hear "I hate losers" (or "I hate XXX"), will you ridicule them for their overstatement, because they meant "I despise XXX"?

> What a hateful, sexist notion to put in the middle of an otherwise articulate comment.

And yet completely true. I've seen it personally in my parents, in all kids around me growing up, and I can see it among friends/family raising kids these days. Guys are simply much more relaxed, sometimes a bit too much for my taste. Not a single case of opposite situation (this might be extreme experience for whatever reason, but that's my reality)

I don't necessarily object to the generalization that mothers are more involved and concerned. What I find objectionable is implying that this quality of mothers has ruined childhood. The "dads who think like moms" comment also seems disdainful, like there's something feminine or weak about dads who are more concerned.

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