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A new study found one in six married men is attracted to their mother-in-law and finds her more attractive than his wife. Interestingly, the feeling is sometimes reciprocated.

My mother-in-law and stepmother-in-law are both quite lovely people. I have fantastic, platonic relationships with both. But that’s where it ends.

Apparently YOU aren’t in the same boat.

11 findings from a study of men attracted to their mother-in-law

A recent study found that half of married men admit to finding their mother-in-law attractive, with some even finding her more appealing than their own spouse.

This may come as a surprise to many, as the topic is often considered taboo or inappropriate. In this article, we will dive into 11 key findings from the study, shedding light on this intriguing phenomenon.

Here are 11 results from a survey of married men in England on the subject of mothers-in-law… And, of course, I’ll be providing my own expert interpretations along the way, because who doesn’t love a good dose of snarky commentary?

1 | Four out of five of married men have a great relationship with their partner’s mother

Cool. That’s very sweet. Take that, Jane Fonda in that movie. So far, so good.

The study also found that a significant number of married men actually enjoy spending time with their mother-in-law and consider her to be a good friend.

Since your mother and your wife may likely to have hidden disagreements or simply not get along well, this sort of even out the tension in marriages involving the couples and their in-laws.

2 | Half of married men find their mother-in-law attractive

Well, a nice looking lady is a nice looking lady, no need to hold back on the compliments.

It’s a strange phenomenon, isn’t it? The thought of finding your spouse’s mother attractive is something that would seem to be out of the realm of possibility for most people. Yet, here it is.

Now, before you go jumping to conclusions, it’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that these men are actively pursuing a romantic relationship with their mother-in-law. Rather, it may just be a passing thought or feeling that they keep to themselves.

Pretty woman celebrating her 50th birthday.

3 | Two-thirds would be happy if their wife aged like her mother

Certainly a touching compliment to both parties.

It’s a bit surprising to see how many married men view their mother-in-law as a benchmark for their wife’s aging process. But hey, if the mother-in-law looks good, then maybe it’s a good sign for the future. And it’s not just about the physical appearance either, there’s something to be said for the positive qualities that come with aging gracefully.

Of course, not every mother-in-law is going to be a role model for aging gracefully, and not every married man is going to find his mother-in-law attractive. But it’s an interesting insight into the dynamics of family relationships and how they can impact a marriage.

4 | 31 percent believe their wife looks pretty similar overall to her mother

Perhaps your wife might take a slight bit of umbrage with that, but umbrage that caps at “mild.”

It’s a delicate subject, no doubt. But hey, there’s no denying genetics can play a role in physical appearance. So if your wife does resemble her mother to some extent, it’s not the end of the world. Plus, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

After all, you found your wife attractive enough to marry, so it’s not like the resemblance is a deal-breaker. And let’s face it, it could be worse. At least she doesn’t look like her great-aunt Mildred.

5 | One in six believes their mother-in-law is more attractive than their wife

Ooh, now that’s some serious competition. Better not say that one out loud. To anyone except, apparently, a random person conducting a survey. Charming British accents sure are a disarming means to get people talking. That’s going to bring out the hardcore umbrage.

It’s probably best to keep that little factoid to yourself, unless you want to end up in the doghouse. And let’s be real, no one wants to end up in the doghouse. But hey, at least these guys were honest, right?

A woman and her daughter celebrating her 18th birthday.

6 | Almost one-third intentionally push their wife’s buttons by telling her how attractive her mother is

Well, if you have a controversial thought, might as well weaponize it. That’s the perfect way to spice up an otherwise mundane conversation.

It’s all in good fun until the dishes start flying, but hey, at least it’s not boring.

7 | Half think their wife’s clothing is influenced by her mother (and one in eight think their mother-in-law is more stylish)

First off, good news for Ann Taylor, you’re killin’ the game. Second off, isn’t this style observation a better way to push your wife’s buttons than saying, “Your mom’s attractive.”

But what do I know? The way I push my wife’s buttons is by intentionally messing up lyrics as I sing songs. Drives her crazy.

8 | One in four has a genuine crush to their mothers-in-law

Well, that’s just great. Now we’re entering a whole new territory of awkwardness.

Things are starting to get a bit unsavory with an infatuation towards your spouse’s mother. Let’s just hope that it’s a harmless crush and not something more, uh, complicated? Otherwise, we might be heading towards some “Motherlover” territory.

A son-in-law and a mother-in-law preparing food on a table placed outdoor.
Image: Unsplash.

9 | One in four openly flirt with their mother-in-law

Now you’re escalating.

Looks like some people have a thing for their mother-in-law, and they’re not shy about showing it. Openly flirting with your spouse’s mother? That’s a bold move. Let’s see how it plays out.

10 | 31 percent believe their mother-in-law is secretly attracted to them

Now she’s escalating, and it’s all getting a bit uncomfortable now. Maybe it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate the situation because you’re probably just irrationally cocky.

11 | And finally, 18 percent believe their mother-in-law once made a subtle pass at them

Whoomp! There it is. We’ve just reached the pinnacle of awkwardness with a blend of creepiness just now.