My parents split when I was young. Had a nasty divorce, court made me choose. I decided Dad because I wanted to stay with my school friends, not because I loved him more. Devastated her, and I felt terrible for hurting her like that. They both also have used each other in anger, and to ridicule me, and I feel like that pushed my self esteem down a lot. Also tearing each other down made me trust them and others less, and I'm pretty shy and reserved as an adult.
Fast forward past 9/11, dad's gone to war, and I move in with her. She has a new boyfriend and Blonde hair. Felt weird and he wasn't fatherly, but no skin off my back. He ended up having a second family, so she ditched him. Another man was white and seemed sort of racist. She always dated 'powerful' men - doctor, pilot, lawyer, six figure CEO, Special Forces soldier... She was/is beautiful, and I think that's why a lot of them were interested in the first place, but nothing ever stuck. In the end they liked the idea of one another, never the reality.
I hope she finds love, but nearing 60 doubt it. I think she's okay with that though. As we age the need for sex lessens, companionship, someone to just talk to and share with - what the rich/powerful never gave - it's a tougher selll. She's always been strong and independent, and I think besides having her own faults, she's not willing to settle and so won't be happy with anyone.
Maybe all her relationships effected me by seeing the shit she dealt with, and her own reactions. Some Men were just assholes....very caught up in this idea of a woman, but not really getting her as a person. Of her not truly letting them know.
As far as sex, drinking? Not my business, so I never worried about it. It's not gross, we're social creatures. She deserves a good lay the same way Ive chased woman, and that doesn't change just because your someone's child OR parent. Seeing her come home crying though, helping take off her earrings when she came home drunk, I learned care is sometimes the little things. Not to judge, just to be there.
My view on women? I'm sure I harbor some cracks, warts or faults. I'm only a man. I will say I try to look for the best, be fair, but I won't be fooled by a beautiful face. I know woman are just as capable as men at work, education etc.; that means they're just as capable at bieng wrong, sexist, or have their own cracks, warts, and faults. A lot of guys see the opposite sex as some alternate species, but really we're all mentally one bieng.
Hope this answered the question? I'll be here for clarification.