As someone who is estranged from my mother who emotionally abused me, I have a hard time believing in ANY kind of unconditional love. Everyone has a point at which their love could die if it was reached. For people in relationships it could be when their partner abuses them, or cheats on them, or lies about something important. So long as they don’t do that, the love will live forever. That’s what I think most people mean when they say “unconditional love”.

Sadly for my mother the love she showed me as a child seemed to turn cold to resentment and indifference as I entered adulthood. What was her “condition” for loving me? Perfection, agreeing with everything she believed. The things that could break her love? Ordinary young adult sexuality, supporting gay rights, being bisexual. Now she behaves as if she doesn’t even have a daughter.

Unconditional maternal love huh? You can see why I’m sceptical to the concept that it’s innate and all women have it for their kids.