Affectionate Quote by Sigmund Freud
“There is scarcely room for doubt that something in the psychological relation of a mother-in-law to a son-in-law breeds hostility between them and makes it hard for them to live together. But the fact that in civilized societies mothers-in-law are such a favourite subject for jokes seems to me to suggest that the emotional relation involved includes sharply contrasted components. I believe, that is, that this relation is in fact an 'ambivalent' one, composed of conflicting affectionate and hostile impulses.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unhappiness of the Mother‑in‑Law, Sigmund Freud, 1915
Mother‑in‑law relationships blend love and resentment, creating ambivalence that fuels conflict.
In simple terms: Mixed feelings cause tension.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage both affection and hostility.
Themes
family
relationships
ambivalence
conflict
psychology
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
psychological
social
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- family gatherings
- intergenerational dynamics
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
object relations
emotional complexity
attachment theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can families acknowledge ambivalence without escalation?
- What strategies reduce hostility while preserving affection?
A Different Perspective
Ambivalence can be hard to resolve and may persist despite humor.
![“There were internal critics, sharp critics, who were very opposed to [Malcolm X], and who were very - some of them were members of Elijah Mohammad's family, such as Herbert Mohammad, Raymond Shareef, who was the head of the Fruit of Islam, the brother-in-law of - the son-in-law of Elijah Mohammad…” quote by Manning Marable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/880/manning-marable-9023_brother_there-were-internal-critics-sharp-critic_1177363.jpg)
![“If I do manage to come up with a scheme [to naming], however, I stick to it, which is why my cats are named after gods-Loki and Athena, who are, respectively, absolutely straightforward and affectionate, and dumber than dirt. I learned my lesson. I will name my next cat 'Satan' or 'Marduk' or…” quote by Ursula Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85d/ursula-vernon-21101_affectionate_if-i-do-manage-to-come-up-with-a-scheme_100482.jpg)
