What Does It Mean to Be Tied to the Apron Strings?

Sometimes presented as "tied to mother’s apron strings," this type of expression is used to illustrate a situation in which someone is considered to be dependent on another person to a degree that is considered unhealthy. The idiom is often associated with men who are dependent on their mothers well into adulthood, but is also sometimes used to identify a male who is extremely dependent on a spouse or partner. A broader application of the term can also refer to situations in which females are unusually dependent on their mothers or other female relatives, often to the point of damaging their other relationships.

When an individual is tied to the apron strings, the imagery involves someone who has yet to develop the ability to make decisions independent of an authority figure. The most common example is that of an adult male who still relies on his mother for support in a number of ways, ranging from doing laundry and preparing food to making important decisions regarding romantic relationships. Often described as a momma’s boy, a male who exhibits this degree of dependency on his mother is likely to be unable to make a commitment to a spouse or partner. Even if a romantic relationship is achieved, the son still defers to his mother in making any type of decisions, often at the expense of his romantic interest. As a result, many people will avoid developing romantic or even platonic relationships with men who are thought to be tied to the apron strings, citing the inability of those individuals to make decisions on their own.

Variations of the apron strings phenomenon can also occur. A male who defers to his spouse or partner in all things, or will not make a decision without consulting that love interest first is sometimes viewed as being too dependent on the partner. This is not to imply that couples should not make major decisions jointly. Those who are said to be tied to the apron strings typically are unable to make even small decisions without obtaining the permission of the partner. With an apron string arrangement, there is usually no healthy discussion of options, but a unilateral decision made by the dominant partner, with little to no regard for the opinions or thoughts of the submissive partner.

In any situation, being tied to the apron strings indicates a lack of confidence and maturity, and an unhealthy level of dependency on another human being. People who exhibit this trait can and sometimes do seek counseling as a means of working through this unhealthy situation, and eventually reach a point of being able to seek advice from others while still reserving the right to make decisions for themselves. Depending on just how tightly those apron strings are tied, achieving that independence may take years.