Does being an uncle make you weird?

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Why is the "creepy uncle" stereotype so prevalent (in the US, at least)?

How accurate is it? Is there a logical explanation to the supposed phenomenon? Is it self-fullfilling prophecy?

― Aaron A., Monday, 24 March 2003 19:40 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm not nearly as familiar with a "creepy uncle" stereotype as a "drunk uncle" stereotype. It would be easy to ignore if my own uncles didn't enjoy the spirits so heartily.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 24 March 2003 19:43 (twenty-three years ago)

South Park musical to thread!

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 24 March 2003 20:10 (twenty-three years ago)

i am an uncle seven times over and i don't think i've become particularly creepier as a result..

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Monday, 24 March 2003 22:26 (twenty-three years ago)

Let's not forget gay uncles!

― hstencil, Monday, 24 March 2003 22:26 (twenty-three years ago)

I am about to become an uncle to five kids. I'm not really creepy, but I am weird, always have been.

― Nordicskillz (Nordicskillz), Monday, 24 March 2003 22:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Is someone delivering quintuplets or did your brothers and sisters calibrate their mating cycles?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Monday, 24 March 2003 22:29 (twenty-three years ago)

All my nieces and nephews love their gay uncle. I'm pretty sure they think I'm weird, though, compared to their parents.

― Arthur (Arthur), Monday, 24 March 2003 22:54 (twenty-three years ago)

Let's hear it for creepy, drunk, and gay uncles!

― Sean (Sean), Monday, 24 March 2003 23:27 (twenty-three years ago)

Let's hear it for creepy, drunk, and gay uncles!

Oh no, that's me. My sister just had a baby.

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 25 March 2003 03:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Let's hear it for creepy, drunk, and gay uncles!

my uncle once dressed up in a german WWII uniform in the middle of the night. He woke up my aunt and try to scare her. She only said "you're weird...go to sleep" and turn around.

they answer then must be yes.

― erik, Tuesday, 25 March 2003 09:49 (twenty-three years ago)

I became an uncle a few weeks ago.

I feel no weirder than before.

― DV (dirtyvicar), Tuesday, 25 March 2003 12:17 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm quite weird according to Stephen, Emma's 11-year-old brother, who I guess sees me a bit like an uncle.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 25 March 2003 12:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Where did he even get the WWII uniform? Was he saving it for that moment? That's amazing.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 04:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Let's hear it for creepy, drunk, and gay uncles!

Which reminds me, I should have a drink.

― Chris P (Chris P), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 06:02 (twenty-three years ago)

I think this stereotype has a lot to do with not having as much contact with the extended (as opposed to the nuclear) family. most ppl see at least one parent every day when they're very young, and the same goes for siblings. But uncles are often not so close; they might only visit now and then, so you never get to know them properly. And the unease is possibly on both sides....

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 09:19 (twenty-three years ago)

I became an uncle for the third time last night. Halle Anne, six pounds and one ounce. Yay for me.

― Michael Jones (MichaelJ), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 09:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Yay for your sister / sister in law too!

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 09:25 (twenty-three years ago)

I'd also like to join in the yay!

― Tag (Tag), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 09:27 (twenty-three years ago)

My live-in recently became an uncle for the second time. But his whole family views him as being odd, so it's difficult to say if the experience of being an uncle has influenced his behavior.

I personally like all of my uncles - they're great people. Well, except for the one who used to tell me horror stoies about serving in 'Nam and I'd get scared and have nightmares and such. Several years ago my father pointed-out that said uncle was only 16 when the war ended, ergo, he could not have served. He went way down on my *respect* scale. Then he became a prothelitizing (spelling) born-again and lost all of my respect and now I avoid him.

My favorite uncles, though, taught me to fish and hunt and pitch tents and identify bugs and birds and plants and we email each other regularly - they're really good people.

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 22:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Laura! You're back! Yayayayayayayayay!

― Chris P (Chris P), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 22:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Hurrah for Laura the Good! :-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 23:32 (twenty-three years ago)

*hugs* Thank you, Chris and Ned - it is good to be back. This time I plan on stay for a while *grin*

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 23:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Hurrah!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 26 March 2003 23:52 (twenty-three years ago)

seven years pass...

I'M AN UNCLE Z S! :) :) :)

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:08 (fifteen years ago)

I became one six months ago. Haven't settled into the role yet; she's still settling into herself.

― Filmmaker, Author, Radio Host Stephen Baldwin (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:08 (fifteen years ago)

Probably doesn't sound like a big deal to those of you with kids of your own or who already have a few nieces or nephews, but this is the first baby of my only sibling and I'm so excited! TODAY IS PHOEBE'S 0th B-DAY, Woooooo!

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:09 (fifteen years ago)

congratulations!

― Filmmaker, Author, Radio Host Stephen Baldwin (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:09 (fifteen years ago)

Unfortunately I live half a country away, but I've been planning a two-week vacation back home for months, so I'll see the lil' one this Thursday. SO PUMPED

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:10 (fifteen years ago)

Thanks! :)

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:10 (fifteen years ago)

I bought her a little onesie that says "eat yr peas and carrots", hope she likes it. Or can fit into it someday, it's probably a little big right now. :)

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:11 (fifteen years ago)

Congrats!

― Flowers By Pete (admrl), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:13 (fifteen years ago)

In our society there is a stigma attached to any adult male who interacts with children. It's pretty unfortunate IMHO

― Super Cub, Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:13 (fifteen years ago)

I've already got astigmatism in my right eye, may as well interact with my niece and go all out!

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:16 (fifteen years ago)

I'm all about the bright side tonight

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:16 (fifteen years ago)

Feelin' really weird about being sorta drunk now and drinking a lot, sorta :-/

― lil' (Z S), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:20 (fifteen years ago)

Congrats ZS, I joined the uncle bandwagon a few months ago myself, good times.

― Mahindra Satyam people (dan m), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:20 (fifteen years ago)

ZS you will be an awesome, fun uncle! I am happy for you.

― Mr & Mrs The Devil (Abbott), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:23 (fifteen years ago)

being an awesome uncle to a little girl is the best of all possible worlds imo

― ,,,,,,eeeeleon (darraghmac), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 08:46 (fifteen years ago)

Congrats ZS. I'm a weird uncle to 10 different nieces and nephews, does this make me weird^10?

― Adge Cutler & the Özils (NickB), Tuesday, 29 June 2010 08:52 (fifteen years ago)

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