Why your mother-in-law might be the one in the wrong after all

IT’S renowned for being one of the most testy relationships in many families.

So spouses everywhere may want to take note of research that suggests tension with your mother-in-law may be caused by innate bias on her part.

Scientists said in-laws may have evolved to take their child’s side in arguments rather than that of the other partner.

Questioning 308 participants, both men and women reported more conflict with their mothers-in-law than their own mothers, while mothers had more conflict with their daughters-in-law than their own offspring. The Arizona State University scientists wrote in the journal Evolutionary Psychological Science that due to evolution, being biologically related to someone means you are more invested in them and subconsciously take their side.

In previous research, two-thirds of daughters-in-law said their husband’s mother exhibited jealous, maternal love towards their sons, while mothers-in-law complained of feeling excluded. But fathers argued with their own daughters more – often over their choice of partner.