Why do humans find it easier to be kind to strangers than to family?

Question

I am patient and kind with strangers, coworkers, and friends but with my family I am often short, critical, and unkind in ways I would be embarrassed to behave with anyone else. Why are we so often harder on the people we are closest to?

jakethereal · Accepted Answer

With strangers we are performing a social role and we are aware of how we appear. With family the mask comes off. We feel safe enough to drop the effort of politeness which unfortunately means they get our unfiltered worst as well as our unfiltered best.

lucas_moore · Answer

Family also carries accumulated history of real hurts and resentments that strangers do not. The stranger has not disappointed you repeatedly over decades. The irritability with family is often old unresolved emotion looking for an outlet.

Why do humans find it easier to be kind to strangers than to family?

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Why do humans find it easier to be kind to strangers than to family?

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2 answers
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