Nothing wrong with a huggy son

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DEAR ABBY: Thank you for your response to “Alarmed in Apple Valley” who was concerned because her teenage nephew shows so much affection toward his mother. I raised a very affectionate son who, at age 30, hugs and kisses me no matter where we meet. I taught that because he is male does not mean he has to hide his feelings as generations before him did. My daughter-in-law tells me often she could not ask for a better husband and father to her children.

Americans coddle girls when they hurt, but a boy is supposed to “take it like a man” and not express his feelings. I am pleased to know other mothers out there are also raising their sons to be well-rounded, emotionally healthy men. — Proud Mom of a Navy Son

DEAR PROUD MOM: I advised the “Alarmed” aunt she was off base in her concerns, and the majority of readers who wrote agreed. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: Have we become so cynical in this day and age that genuine affection is seen as dirty and unsavory? How sad!

My 22-year-old daughter hangs on me and smooches me (and her father and grandparents) in public. It’s a great feeling for parents to know their kid loves them and isn’t embarrassed to be seen with them. The aunt who complained about her nephew kissing his mother on the cheek and putting his arm around her may have intimacy problems she’s projecting onto her sister. — Leslie in Selma, Calif.

DEAR ABBY:I hope “Alarmed” doesn’t end up doing what my sister did when she saw the display of affection between my 11-year-old daughter and me, her dad. My sister’s “concern” prompted her to coerce her adult son into visiting my clergyperson about it. A short investigation found me innocent of wrongdoing but left me with my innocence violated. Relationships were drastically altered — especially between my sister and me. Eventually, I came to realize why she was so suspicious of abuse. She herself was willing to abuse — the church, her son, her brother and her niece. — Wiser Now in Salt Lake City

DEAR ABBY: I was never prouder of my son than when a friend of his said to him, “You hug your mom in public?” My boy’s simple reply to his friend was, “Don’t you?” It was never questioned again.

Dear Abby, written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.