My sister [32F] is upset with me [25M] because I won't hold her son [5 weeks old] but I'm very uncomfortable around babies.

You totally didn't get what I said.

Sometimes cultural norms exist within a family which not all members share, often from exposure or immersion into other cultures. For example, in my culture you always invite people to spend the night. My husband finds that strange. Or, my husband and I often do body language reflective of our second language which my inlaws and other family do not understand since they don't speak that language.

I'm saying OP may dislike it for cultural reasons as well, and these reasons may not be shared with his family and girlfriend because they lack that culture. I'm also trying to show how every culture is different even within the same country, so OP's family should stop shoving their expectations on him as it's disrespectful.

Regardless, OP doesn't need a reason (no JADEing allowed). He doesn't want to, so he shouldn't do it. If his girlfriend wants to maybe it's a wakeup call that their relationship isn't compatible and he needs to find someone who has aversions to young babies like him. OP doesn't need a therapist, but acceptance. Seriously. People abuse kids. OP just doesn't want to be around them.

Additionally, I have six niblings. Not close at all, maybe see them every three years. Their my husband's sibling's kids and he doesn't see them either. We just aren't close and frankly aren't interested. ...and that's ok. Not everyone likes kids.

/r/relationships Thread Parent