Skip to main content

The Mother-in-Law syndrome

Yes, it is true; it does exist, The Mother-in Law Syndrome!

This is a never ending war – the one between a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law! Such is their popularity that they have been written about in the puranas, books have been dedicated to them, television soaps, movies etc. have been made in the honour of their life-long tiff!

But why do two women who barely know each other turn enemies as soon as the former’s son marries the latter? Why does the mother-in-law view the young daughter-in-law as competition from day one? Psychologist have an interesting term for this situation; they call it the ‘Mother-in-law syndrome’!

Picture used is only for editorial reference. The copyright lies with the artist.


What is the ‘mother-in-law’ syndrome?


A mother’s continuous interference in the marriage of her child – boy or girl, that which includes high stress levels being experienced by the previously happy couple due to their mother-in-law’s disastrous influence or imposed ideas in their lives. Such is its effect that it is now accepted and recognised as a proper condition within the psychiatric circles. The good news is, it is curable! 

But this phenomenon isn't new! It has been in existence during the early stages of civilisation and Vedic times. Let us take a look at the worst mother-in-laws according to mythology!

Read more here - The Worst Mothers-in-law Since Vedic Times


P.S: The blog was originally published on www.speakingtree.in


Labels:

Comments

  1. Anilkumar Kurup17 December 2014 at 20:13

    Indeed - Kunti's was a master stroke of all mother in law shenanigan. Her asking her sons to share the gift they bought for her. And what misery poor Draupadi must have felt.

    BTW why hasn't the syndrome afflicted fathers in law?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nikita Banerjee Bhagat18 December 2014 at 01:09

    @Anil

    Well, I am glad you agree! I am sure this syndrome has afflicted the fathers-in-laws too but not much is written about men's psyche.

    Needs research :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sneha8 January 2015 at 00:41

    Interesting, Nikita. Like I famously say, "All women take to be extremely fond of me except potential mother-in-laws." Not that there are any choices in men, too. All the same. Same ol' story.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AshenGlow9 January 2015 at 17:14

    OOhh.. this is like a can of worms... A never ending debate! Seriously! However, its always a pleasure to read about the MIL DIL wars elsewhere (read including the puranas.. at least we can decide who's side to take!).. the ones inhouse always suck! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nikita Banerjee Bhagat12 January 2015 at 14:24

    @Sneha,

    Tell me about it! I had never experienced so much negativity and hatred before! I don't know what changes when women turn mom in laws :(

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nikita Banerjee Bhagat12 January 2015 at 14:25

    @AshenGlow

    you nailed it! The in-house ones definitely suck!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sneha21 January 2015 at 23:53

    You know, in hindsight, I always tell everyone - "All women love me, except potential mother in laws." (Notice how I don't even add hyphens there).

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nikita Banerjee Bhagat23 January 2015 at 11:47

    @Sneha

    Haha! Good one and I agree wholeheartedly! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rajesh15 March 2015 at 22:10

    Lol! This sustains Ekta Kapoor !!:)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

GO ahead, say it out loud!

Popular posts from this blog

#Sorry not sorry

I feel sorry for ‘Sorry’ – such an abused term. When you come to think of it, it is just a word, right? It holds significance in some instance and at times, it is a mere excuse. But we humans absolutely love it as an excuse, don’t we? I use this term a lot; I mean a lot! I think of myself as a kind being, and hence, if I happen to push or ignore (deliberate), I say ‘sorry’. I say sorry for things that may not need a ‘sorry’. I say ‘sorry’ to people I am not really feeling sorry for (don’t read this the wrong way). In short, I say ‘sorry’ a lot like I have already admitted. It is my ticket to moving on, a ticket to redeem myself for mistakes and sometimes, tinged with slight sadness (maybe).


But is ‘Sorry’ the right word? Mean, is it even appropriate? Like they say, first you commit the murder and then say sorry. What is the point of it? I would say nothing. Sorry – the term originated from the West Germanic term Sore that evolved to Sarig, meaning pained or distressed. It is also known…
Post a Comment
Read more

Celebrating Navratri? Stop now as we have no right to worship the female form...

Today my mom asked me to go get fall bidding done for her new saree. Navratri has begun and Durga Pujo is just around the corner. This year we are planning to go Pandal hopping on a Saptami instead of an Ashtami or Navmi to avoid the jams and the crowds. I will wear a saree too and my Punjabi husband will tag along for the delicious food.
In a multicultural household like mine, most festivals are a big deal, especially Navratri and Durga Pujo. But in the hullabaloo of festivities, we don’t stop to think of its essence – why do we celebrate Durga Pujo or Navratri at all. To celebrate Ma Shakti – a prompt answer from my mother. Navratri is a celebration of the nine stages of womanhood – a tribute to the power of the female.But to us commoners, it is a festival of dancing to the tunes of Garba or dandiya or Bollywood music. It is our turn to wear our best clothes, head out in the night, meet family and be merry. And once, this is over, the female form goes back to being what they always a…
1 comment
Read more

I Wonder What Ants do on Rainy Days…

Source: Google Images
On days when the sun has abandoned us, hiding behind the grey, moody clouds. Do they sit inside their hills and wonder out loud? Do they stare outside at the rain, measuring the raindrops, letting thoughts splotch all over? Does the earthy petrichor take them down the memory lane? Or are they content with what nature has to offer? It is a part of their lives, isn’t it? They dredge up foods daily, diligently build their hills, even if it is to serve their queen, only to enjoy it on days like this, no? Maybe they do take stock of things, of their bearings. They ought to sleep it off, take a day to rest or do they lament on the lost time?
Unlike me.
When I gaze out, a gazillion thoughts fly by; some worthy of the pen, some so disturbing that I often question my sanity. I like the grey skies though. They seem like textured canvases waiting for me to scribble something. The lazy raindrops wetting the streets below and casting a temporary stain on window ledges bring a…
Post a Comment
Read more