So, it should come as no surprise that another 2009 study published in the journal Psychiatry Research revealed that the parts of the brain that light up in response to unconditional love are similar to those that are activated by maternal love. Scientists concluded that parental warmth and affection can actually protect children against some of the harmful effects of childhood stress. Conversely, children who received the least amount of unconditional love and affection showed higher measures across a number of health risks, including stress, cholesterol, and blood pressure. According to a 2013 study conducted at UCLA, unconditional love from a parent can make children not only emotionally happier but also less anxious. It’s part of a parent’s job to show their child that it’s possible to be disappointed, upset, or even angry with them, and still love them deeply.

After all, a parent is expected to continue loving their child no matter what - even when they break curfew, talk back, get caught drinking, or otherwise let them down. Because in order to get to a place where you can accept a person’s flaws and love them all the same - well, that’s complex business.Īlthough unconditional love definitely applies to our romantic relationships, it’s a term that’s often used to describe a parent’s relationship with their child. Unconditional love does not depend on your partner acting a certain way, saying certain things, or doing certain things for you.Īnd as it turns out, this particular kind of love doesn’t just set in as soon as you lay eyes on someone, or have your first flirty exchange.

Think about it: How many times have you judged a partner for screwing up, or withheld forgiveness and held a grudge, or given them a gift with the expectation of receiving a certain kind of response in return? All of those are examples of conditional love. So, when your boo makes a mistake or disappoints you, you still love them. If you love someone unconditionally, it means that love is unwavering. “I love you when…” “I love you if…” “I love you, but…” What do all of these statements have in common? They’re conditional - and as the very term suggests, you can’t achieve unconditional love with “ifs” and “buts.” But what’s the psychology behind unconditional love? Is it even possible? How does it grow? And are there ways to nurture it? When you think of your ideal relationship, unconditional might very well be the epitome of #goals.

What does unconditional love mean