Motherbound Males

Abstract

The Hatchers came in for family therapy with me. Don Hatcher is twenty-five years old and is just now thinking about moving away from home; maybe he’s going to move out of the house pretty soon, he tells his buddies. The “boy’s” father, Ted, is an alcoholic and is very distant and cold with Don. Ted works long hours as an engineer, and is often out of town. He is an excellent “provider,” financially speaking, for the family. Ted is, however, solicitous with his wife, Theresa. He buys her gifts on his business trips, takes her to Paris with him twice a year, is very courteous with her most of the time, and rarely yells at her—except in disagreement about Don. Ted calls his own mother weekly. The subject of their discussion usually centers on “what to do about Don.” Theresa is very warm, understanding, and supportive with Don, continuously trying to help her son figure out what he is going to do with his life, how to date, how to be with girls, what kind of social life he should have, how to get along with his father, and how to avoid abusing alcohol and drugs.