The representation of mother-son relationships varies across cultures and societies. For instance:

The relationship between mothers and sons is a foundational theme in both cinema and literature, often serving as a lens through which creators explore psychological depth, societal expectations, and the tension between nurturing and independence Jude Hayland Core Themes and Psychological Archetypes

Literature, with its ability to delve deep into a character's internal world, has been the primary arena for exploring the nuanced complexities of the mother-son bond.

Literature often uses the absence of a mother to define a son’s trajectory, turning her into a ghostly influence that haunts his decisions.