#Boyswellbeing

A growing concern among child development experts highlights a syndrome many overlook: touch starvation. While the term sounds recent, its consequences for emotional and social development can be lasting, especially for young boys who may receive less physical affection from caregivers as they age. Experts urge a shift in parenting culture to ensure boys receive healthy, age-appropriate touch, an issue increasingly relevant in Thailand as families navigate modern life while preserving cultural values.

An emerging “touch starvation” epidemic is drawing alarm among child development experts, warning that young boys in particular are suffering emotional and social consequences due to a lack of physical affection from parents and caregivers. Research and psychological insights now highlight how this deprivation isn’t just a fleeting discomfort—it can leave a lifelong mark on mental health, suggesting urgent shifts in parenting culture, especially as traditional norms face rapid change in Thailand and worldwide (New York Post).

Recent research and cultural stories show that a boy’s sense of security and emotional wellbeing can be shaped by the death, separation, or emotional neglect of a mother. Experts note that even loving later caregivers may not fully replace the mother’s role, affecting attachment, emotional regulation, and future relationships. Data from studies and expert analyses highlight the long shadow of mother loss on boys as they grow into men.

In Thai society, family bonds are strong and the maternal role is often central to emotional development. With shifting demographics, rising divorce rates, and more children in alternative care, understanding how mother loss affects boys is increasingly important. International research indicates the need for careful, culturally sensitive support for bereaved boys, including counseling and mentoring programs. Thailand’s public health and social service sectors are increasingly looking at how to strengthen family resilience during times of upheaval.

A growing body of research and poignant cultural narratives highlight how a boy’s sense of self and emotional wellbeing may be deeply shaped by the absence of a mother, whether through death, separation, or emotional neglect. According to a recent analysis in Psychology Today, boys who lose their mothers early in life or are separated from them—regardless of how loving their subsequent caregivers may be—face unique challenges that reverberate into adulthood, impacting attachment styles, emotional regulation, and even future relationships with women (psychologytoday.com).