“Motherhood is often romanticised in society as an ingrained maternal instinct that guides women naturally into nurturing roles.
However, as Professor Kobus Maree from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Educational Psychology explains, the reality is far more complicated.
While many mothers develop deep, instinctual connections with their children, this is not the case with every single mother.
The notion of “maternal instinct” is largely a myth, and the experiences of mothers can vary significantly based on their backgrounds, personalities and life circumstances.
Many factors contribute to a mother’s ability, or inability, to connect and nurture.”