The X-Men comics have always explored themes of acceptance and belonging, often through the lens of mutants who are persecuted by society for their powers. But amidst the epic battles and struggles for mutant rights, there have also been stories of love, family, and the powerful bonds that exist between parents and their children.
From Charles Xavier and Gabrielle Haller's tumultuous relationship to N'Daré and David Munroe's enduring love, fans have formed an opinion on what it means to be a good parent in the world of the X-Men. Some parents rose to the challenges they had to face raising their children in a world that often fears and misunderstands them, showing them the love and support any child requires.
10 Scott Summers And Jean Grey
Scott Summers and Jean Grey's parenting skills regarding their child, Rachel Summers, have been a mixed bag. Rachel became a member of the X-Men, but her relationship with her parents was often strained. Jean's death and Scott's relationship with Emma Frost caused Rachel to feel abandoned by her parents.
However, after Jean's resurrection, Rachel's relationship with her mother improved. Despite their flaws, Scott and Jean did their best to support their daughter and help her navigate the challenges of being a mutant in a world that fears and hates them.
9 Elaine And John Grey
Elaine and John Grey are the parents of Jean Grey, also known as Phoenix. They have always loved and supported their daughter, despite their mistakes. Elaine Grey, a former model, has shown to be a compassionate and understanding mother, fiercely protective of her daughter. John Grey, a professor of history, has been depicted as a wise and caring father who is devoted to his family.
However, their parenting skills have been called into question at times. They have been criticized for being overprotective of Jean, which caused her to develop a sense of guilt for her powers that has been exploited by her enemies. Overall, Elaine and John Grey have demonstrated their love and support for their daughter, but also made mistakes that could have been avoided.
8 Jakob And Edie Eisenhardt
Jakob and Edie Eisenhardt, the parents of Magneto, are often seen as controversial figures in the X-Men universe. While they loved their son, they were unable to protect him from the trauma and discrimination that came with being a Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland.
Despite their difficult circumstances, Edie tried her best to protect and nurture her son, encouraging him to use his intelligence and talents to survive. However, Erik's traumatic experiences during the Holocaust shaped him into a vengeful mutant. While the Eisenhardts' parenting skills were certainly challenged by the horrors of the Holocaust, they tried their best to inspire hope into their son's heart and protect him from harm.
7 Charles Xavier And Gabrielle Haller
Charles Xavier and Gabrielle Haller have a complex parenting history. Xavier's responsibilities as the leader of the X-Men and the founder of the "Xavier Institute for Higher Learning" often took priority over his role as a father to their son, David Haller, aka Legion. Gabrielle struggled with her own mental health issues and was unable to provide the stability and support that David needed. While Xavier tried to help David with his mutant powers, his focus was often on controlling them rather than helping David embrace his unique abilities.
As a result, David often felt neglected and alone, leading to his descent into mental illness. While Charles and Gabrielle had good intentions, their parenting skills ultimately fell short, leading to tragic consequences for their son.
6 Mr. And Mrs. Lee
Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the parents of Jubilation Lee, also known as Jubilee, who is a mutant with the ability to generate bright bursts of energy. At first, when Jubilee's powers manifested, her parents were scared and didn't know how to handle the situation. They thought that Jubilee was dangerous and needed to be cured.
After meeting other mutants and learning about their abilities, Mr. and Mrs. Lee eventually became more understanding and supportive of their daughter. They realized that Jubilee was not a monster, but a normal girl with extraordinary abilities. They allowed her to join the X-Men and trusted her to use her powers responsibly. Overall, while they had an initial fear-based reaction, they ultimately became loving and supportive parents to their mutant daughter.
5 Ororo Munroe And T’Challa
Ororo Munroe and T'Challa, also known as Storm and Black Panther, are the parents of Azari T'Challa, their son. While their time as parents has not been explored in-depth in the comics, both characters have demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility towards their people and their own personal growth.
Ororo, who grew up an orphan and lived on the streets before becoming a mutant hero, has a deep understanding of what it means to struggle and overcome adversity. T'Challa, as a monarch of Wakanda, has been tasked with the immense responsibility of leading his country and protecting his people. It can be assumed that these experiences have polished their parenting style, and that they would strive to provide Azari with the same strong moral compass and sense of duty they embody themselves.
4 Mark And Jill Kincaid
Mark and Jill Kincaid are the parents of Cessily Kincaid, also known as Mercury, a mutant with the ability to transform her body into a malleable metallic state. While not as prominent as some of the other X-Men parents, Mark and Jill are shown to be loving and supportive parents to their daughter. In the comics, they are portrayed as being concerned for Cessily's safety and well-being, especially after she is captured and experimented on by the villainous organization known as the Facility.
Despite their worries, they remain committed to their daughter and offer her emotional support as she copes with the challenges of being a mutant in a world that fears and hates them. Overall, Mark and Jill Kincaid are good examples of loving and supportive parents in the X-Men universe.
3 N'Daré And David Munroe
N'Daré and David Munroe are widely considered to be some of the best parents in the X-Men comics. They instilled a sense of responsibility and compassion in their daughter Ororo, also known as Storm, which helped shape her into a strong and empathetic leader.
Despite facing many challenges, including the loss of her parents at a young age, Storm always carries her parents' memory with her and is motivated by their teachings. Additionally, N'Daré and David's own complex history, with N'Daré being a tribal princess and David being a photojournalist, adds to the depth and richness of their characters.
2 Carmen And Terri Pryde
Carmen and Terri Pryde, parents of Kitty Pryde, demonstrated strong parenting skills by being supportive of their daughter even after discovering that she was a mutant. They helped Kitty learn how to control her powers and even encouraged her to attend Xavier's "School for Gifted Youngsters" to better understand her abilities.
They also showed their love and support by visiting her at the school and participating in school events. Carmen and Terri Pryde's unconditional love and support for their daughter, despite the challenges that came with having a mutant child, highlight their excellent parenting skills.
1 Edna And Norton McCoy
Edna and Norton McCoy were the loving and supportive parents of Hank McCoy, better known as the X-Men member Beast. While they may not have understood their son's mutation at first, they never wavered in their love and support for him. In fact, they encouraged his intellectual pursuits and even helped fund his education.
The McCoys were also instrumental in helping their son come to terms with his mutant identity and accepting himself for who he is. Despite their tragic deaths, their legacy lives on as examples of how parents should support and accept their children, regardless of their differences.