Why do we involuntarily say "mom/mother" in panic situations?

Question

why do we cry for our mothers when we are scared to death ...why not "dad"?

comments appreciated

Answer 1

East calls our to Abba, Pappa or Mamma, west calls to God.

Answer 2

Automatic reflex action out of fear for security.

Answer 3

Because we came from their wombs, where we always felt safe, until that traumatic experience of our birth happened, disturbing our peace forever.

Answer 4

Interesting question. I had just asked myself that the other day.

My X husband threw some stressful emotional trash at me and I broke and cried. And I said out loud, I need my mommy.

Gosh, I can't believe that I just told the  Yahoo world that. anyhow.

My dad was my rock and my dearest parent. Why then did I cry out for my mother?

I wish I know, maybe it is ingrained in us that Maternal is nurturing, whether or not it is or was. You know, mother earth, father time.

Maybe we have cell memory from generations past that influences our emotions during a challenging situation. Who knows

Answer 5

i think children do that only

@wisdom tormented:

have you seen the whole east?

EAST  calls for GOD too

Answer 6

In times of great distress we seek our experience with the greatest Love we have known. Our mothers, well the healthy ones anyway, were the first in our experience to Love us unconditionally. They protected us when very young when we knew not what was dangerous & what was not & in our hearts memory we remember. We call for the purest Love on Earth we have known. Although our Fathers do love us indeed, they work, are gone much, & their Love is pure but expressed more in a provider role. Our Mothers were our constant companions. Our Mothers taught us from the heart, our hearts never forget.

Blessings!

Answer 7

Who are the "we" you're speaking of?  I don't recall ever saying, or crying, that out and I can remember back to the day my mother brought my younger sister home from the hospital - I was 2 years 10 mos. 3 wks. old.  The first time I recall screaming it was just a Big Scream and that happened when I was a bit older than 3 and got stung by a bumble bee.  What I've said since then is:  "Oh, Lord", or, "Oh, No".

Answer 8

Because we are closer to mom.

Dad is always at work in the office.

Answer 9

The way we are raised. And I'm very infuriated you stereotype an entire group of beings like this honestly. I doubt EVERY SINGLE human says mother when in a panic situation. If youre from Spain wouldn't you say Madre? I'm sure some people say something else like "Fu**"

Answer 10

I say neither. I shout " Holy @^#%!" and run like a bat out of h**l.

Answer 11

I am an asian indian and haha I do cry Mummy! when I am in a panic situation or painful situation etc. Yeah, why not father/Dad/another term for dad?

Don't know....guess we just always turned to Mom when young and it remains in our subconscious mind?