It seems that man has an inborn love for his own children. Even though
the natural maternal/paternal instinct may weaken and may be subsummed
by other emotoins or drives it surfaces at times.

I am looking for anectdote/stories/examples of extreme sacrifices that
parents will do for their children. What would be especially helpful
would be a real "tough guy", a known hardended criminal, who showed
true love, compassion, self sacrfice to save or benifit his child.

Hi Proffes,

As you have asked for comment, I won't hesitate to oblige. Your
question is too important to leave sitting, provided that my
contribution is productive to your asking. I do have some questions
however, to qualify where you wish to head with your thoughts.

I could share a real story with you about a friend of mine who is as
you have described in your second paragraph, but not a criminal in my
mind. I admire him very much. His story is one of retribution, so it
may not fit your approach. If you want to go there, say so. If not, I
won't.

I don't understand your second sentence ".. may weaken and may be
subsummed ..". Would you mind rephrasing that with explanation?

".. man has an inborn love .." I understand. Are you looking for a
man's perspective or do you mean mankind? You did refer to
maternal/paternal. Many a woman will show more guts in defense of her
child than a man.

Where do you wish to go with your question?

In thought of your excellent question,

Phil

The full three part series of the Godfather comes to mind, in terms of
affection that exists within Mafia-like families...but it seems to be
highly conditional ... ahem, ahem . . . make a wrong move and you
could end up with a pair of cement shoes at the bottom of a river.

You're looking for examples of men only?  It sounds like it.

I've known quite a few men who claim they gave up lives of adventure
and intrigue to work a 40 hour week year after year to support their
kids, put them through college, etc . . . but who knows what they
actually would have done if the family hadn't been there?  Also, an
opposite situation is very often the case: the men resent having to
provide support, feel suckered into family life, or feel deeply
conflicted about it, etc  It's a broad spectrum question . . .

ts

i was wondering if you might find something useful if you were to look
into organ transplants of things like kidneys - where the mother or
father may be a suitable donor and literally give up part of their
body out of love for their child?