Mother Hen
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| Tropes and genres | |
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| Synonym(s) | Owl mother |
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A mother hen is an individual who heavily prioritizes attending to the wellbeing of others. The term originates from the nesting behaviour of female chickens, known for steadfastly sitting on eggs they have laid. Characters who fit this archetype are generally female due to traditional gender expectations, however male characters have also been or are assigned to the trope.
Their caretaking behaviour can involve seeing to daily needs such as cooking, cleaning, and mending, or it may mean providing emotional and/or financial support. Mother hens do not necessarily have nurturing or sensitive personalities. Examples exist of irascible, guarded, and aggressive characters who nevertheless center caring for loved ones.
Characters who fill this role in a group of friends or allies are sometimes referred to as the team mom.
Examples Characters
- Karlach from Baldur's Gate
- Varric Tethras from Dragon Age
- Roger T. "Race" Bannon from Jonny Quest
- Molly Weasley from Harry Potter
- Effie Trinket from The Hunger Games
- Leonard McCoy from Star Trek