Growing up did you identify more with a male or female parent?

[undeterred]

Poll question: Growing up did you identify more with a male or female parent?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. It's so hard for me to say.

Starting at about 12 years old, I was put in the unique position of being the "parental figure" for my whole family. I love both of my parents with all of my heart, but they're not the strongest people in the world. I found myself being the one making the hard decisions and offering guidance more often than not. That said, I sort of had to form my own identity rather quickly.

[undeterred]

2. This should be interesting

I'm female, identified with my father. I could never figure out why men got to do all the cool stuff being involved with the world and women just sat around the house (that's how I saw my stay-at-home mom).

[sweetladybug]

3. As a child I identified more with my mother but I got along good with my

father also. My mother was the parent that was home with me more. Although, as an adult I get along better with males than females (I've had more females to stabbed me in the back, so I trust males more)

[eyesroll]

4. I was a daddy's girl. (Still am, I suppose.)

I got/get along with both of my parents wonderfully, but I've always had more in common with my dad -- I look more like his side of the family, we've got similar interests, etc.

[One_Life_To_Give]

5. Chapin's Cats in the Cradle

While of your choices, I would have to say my dad. I identify most with Chapin's classic.

[u4ic]

13. That song never fails to make me cry

:hug:

[supernova]

6. Identified with my mother

I spent most of my time with her. My dad was very shy, to the point they developed the habit of her speaking for him, even within the family.

I didn't understand my dad very well growing up. He seemed an uncommunicative person to me. I knew he loved me, but it was almost impossible to understand what he was thinking at any minute. I understand him more now.

I wish he were alive so I could get to know him better and tell him it's OK, because now I understand.

Sadly, identifying with such a strong female figure could also be why I have a hard time with relationships now. I openly admit I can't figure men out. :shrug:

[booley]

7. My mom was my only stable parent

My parents got divorced when I was young and my stepfather was, frankly, abusive, when I was growingup. he's changed for the better but we were not too close when i was young.

As fo rmy father, he remarried and moved to variouse states further and further away until he settled in Orange California. He visited regularily but it was still a week end thing, not regular.

I was raised by my mother. I inherited my values largly from my mother (ironic considering she was catholic and I am a pagan) and when I had a boyfriend and wanted to have my ffamily meet him, my mother was one of the few that really made him feel welcome. Indeed, my then boyfriend (now ex) disliked most my family..except my mother.

I know, a long way to say that I identify with my Mom.

[Rainbowreflect]

8. When I was very little I was a daddy's girl.

But my father died when I was 5. I am very close to my mother now, but we did not get along while I was growing up. My fault I'm sure, I was a wild child.

[Shoeempress]

9. My Mother was a Strong independent woman who encouraged me to

be the same, which I am. Father's only real interaction with me was trying to force me to be a Catholic. Always thought he was a wingnut. Turned out they both were wingnuts and when I became the independent woman I am, they FREAKED.

[undeterred]

10. kick

[Catbird]

11. Daughter with father

My interests, abilities, and physical appearance matched my father's fairly closely. He recognized who I was and accepted my decisions even when he didn't agree with them. My mother never quite accepted that I didn't fit her image of the ideal daughter. Nevertheless, they both loved me as well as each other and did the best they could with their children. I miss them both.
:grouphug:

[davidinalameda]

12. my cat

[Lady Effingbroke]

14. Equidistant from both parents.

[Madrone]

15. Neither.

I have nothing in common with my family members.

[undeterred]

16. adopted?

[Madrone]

18. Nope.

It would be nice though - at least it would be an explanation! ;)

[xmas74]

17. Female, didn't get along well w/ mother.

still don't.

[AlienGirl]

19. Daddy's girl...

It took me a long time to learn to appreciate my Mom.

Tucker

[SarahB]

20. I don't know if I identified with either really.

I have a very different personality than that of my parents. I am a very independent thinker and as a little kid had a very strong personality (I suppose I still do in some sense). They are both people that live their lives based on fear rather than strength which I find terribly sad sometimes.

Anyway, I was (and still am) closer with my father because he's a kind and loving man toward me. My mother isn't so much.

[Left Is Write]

21. I don't know how to answer this, really.

I identified strongly with my mother and wanted to be just like her (and in many ways, I am), but I got a lot of my personality traits from my father, who I always admired (and still do).