The phrase “a face only a mother could love” is a common one, but its origin is not as well-known. The phrase is thought to have originated in the early 1900s, but the exact source is unknown.
In this article, we will explore the origin of the phrase “a face only a mother could love.” We will discuss the possible origins of the phrase, as well as its use in popular culture. We will also explore the impact of the phrase on society and our perception of beauty.
Origin of “A Face Only a Mother Could Love”
One possible origin of the phrase is the 1911 novel The Pit by Frank Norris. In the novel, a character named Jadwin is described as having “a face that only a mother could love.”
This description is likely meant to convey Jadwin’s unattractiveness, but it also suggests that even his mother would find him difficult to look at.
Another possible origin of the phrase is the 1930 film The Public Enemy. In the film, a character named Tom Powers is described as having “a face only a mother could love.” This description is likely meant to convey Powers’s violent and criminal nature, but it also suggests that even his mother would find it difficult to love him.
The phrase “a face only a mother could love” has been used in a variety of contexts over the years. It has been used to describe celebrities, politicians, and even ordinary people. The phrase is often used in a humorous way, but it can also be used to express genuine pity or disgust.
In recent years, the phrase “a face only a mother could love” has been used in a more positive way. Some people have begun to use the phrase to describe people who are considered to be unique or unconventional. These people may not be considered to be conventionally attractive, but they are loved and accepted for who they are.
The phrase “a face only a mother could love” is a complex one. It can be used to express both positive and negative emotions. However, the phrase ultimately reminds us that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
A Face Only a Mother Could Love: Meaning
“S/he has a face that only a mother could love,” as the saying goes. This proverb means that a mother’s love is so unconditional, and her feelings about her children are so universally positive, that even if a child was unattractive, the mother would still love them. The idea is that a mother sees her child in the best light possible, even in the face of objective opinions from other people in the world. This proverb portrays mothers in a very positive light and is easily understood by the majority of the world. However, if you grew up with a narcissistic, depressed, or anxious mother, this saying may be the polar opposite of what you learned.
Narcissistic Mothers
Let’s go through those types of mothers one by one, even though there may be some overlap. A narcissistic mother frequently makes her children feel insufficient. There is a lot of open and covert criticism of the child’s appearance, personality, behavior, and everything else. Because parental feedback is frequently negative, the child grows up fearful of it. When a parent compares their child to themselves, they frequently say things like “I was never as selfish as you” (if they are a covert narcissist) or “I was never as socially awkward as you” (if they are an overt narcissist).
Depressed Mothers
Depressed mothers may be critical of their children for similar reasons. They see everything in a negative light, and the child becomes engulfed in their negative worldview. A depressed parent, unlike a narcissistic parent who compares themselves favorably to their child, will say things like, “You’re overweight, just like me.” That bothers men.” Alternatively, “We’re both bad at math, and there’s really no way around it.”
A depressed parent’s feedback is not intended to harm the child. In fact, they frequently want to temper the child’s expectations. They believe that the world is a harsh place, and that the child will be less disappointed if they have low expectations. They despise themselves and apologize for any traits that the child appears to have inherited. A depressed parent’s child is often a hopeless and stuck-feeling adult.
Anxious Mothers
In order to protect their child from negative outcomes such as social rejection, an anxious parent will criticize them. These outcomes are frequently projected from the parent’s own experiences and have nothing to do with anything the child is experiencing. “If you keep touching your face, you’ll make your skin worse and people will make fun of you,” a worried parent will say, or “If you don’t get all A’s, you’ll never be able to get into college and then what will happen to you?”
This parent is not attempting to harm the child, but rather to encourage them to act in ways that the parent believes will protect them in the future and ensure positive outcomes. The child frequently develops low self-esteem as well as an anxiety disorder.
All of these children have no idea what it would be like to have a parent who emphasized their strengths. Their mothers would notice if they were unattractive or possessed any other “bad” quality. Instead, it would be their mothers who would notice and point it out. What the child does not realize is that their mothers are frequently not pointing out known objective facts, but are viewing the child through a “bad” lens that is diametrically opposed to the rose-colored one in the saying. Frequently, the mother is the ONLY person who believes these negative things about the child. Everyone else thinks they’re better than their mother.
You have no chance of developing normal self-esteem if you are raised in this manner. For example, a parent telling you, “Your partner is lucky to have you!” sounds like something out of a TV show. Instead, your parent would say something like, “You’re lucky to have your partner; I hope you can keep him” or “I wonder why she chose you when she could have so many other guys?” Everything your parents say about their opinion of you reinforces how stupid it is to think of yourself as attractive, smart, good, or worthwhile.
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