"Nurturing Instincts" and Women

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I think it goes without saying that, in most societies, women have traditionally been expected to fill the role of a nurturer. Now, I'm not here to debate whether this feeling is natural or taught -- that's for another thread. However, I am curious to know how many women here at WP would personally describe themselves as "nurturing". Have you always felt caring and supportive, or does the mere thought of displaying stereotypically maternal behaviors make you feel uncomfortable? Either way, please elaborate on your thoughts in a reply!

I occasionally feel compelled to nurture people around me, but only to an extent. If someone has a minor problem they need to rant about, then I'm all ears, and I'll usually try to help them feel better about whatever the problem is. However, if someone is breaking down and crying over something, I basically try to stay as far away as I can without being rude...it just makes me so uncomfortable.

Edit: I can't believe I forgot this, but I am on the autistic spectrum. Also, I am well aware of the fact that most neurotypical women feel at least somewhat nurturing...my main reason for creating this poll was to compare the prevalence of nurturing tendencies between neurotypical women and women on the autistic spectrum.

On the spectrum, and NOT a nurturer.
My first instinct when I see someone in need of comfort is to run and hide.
Unless it's a dog or other small furry animal. I can nurture those.

I picked the sometimes option because of my kids. When people talk to me about very serious issues, I'm never sure of the appropriate response they're looking for. With someone with minor reoccurring issues, I have a tendency to snap (Just fix it already!).

It's different when it's about my children, and even then it isn't always automatic.

I used to think I was a nurturer; it took me many years and a lot of bad experiences to realize I am a "rescuer", I want to save the world and fix everyone and it just can't be done. I am working really hard on not assuming that people make mistakes and show vulnerability in the hopes of someone saving them. I made a lot of mistakes and I think the worst was thinking that if I "fixed" someone they would then become what I needed them to be and would be grateful and appreciate my efforts. I also thought that if I was worthy of love that someone would want to "rescue" me. That all blew up in my face and I now avoid people who bring out that instinct in me. I still smile at puppies and love my cats and my friends' children but I now regard adults who don't try to hide their struggles with suspicion which I know isn't right either. Someday I will get it all right.

Chris says I'd be a good mother--she's a mother herself to two grown kids (my cousins-removed-once), so I guess she would know.

I think I'm nurturing some of the time, when I feel well enough to do it.

I am nurturing - but only when there is an obvious problem and someone is clearly upset, or with kids or with animals.

I am terrible at the "day to day" nurturing that NT's consider normal.

In other words, I can do the big occasional stuff but not the small daily stuff - I'm very much like the steroypical "male" mind in that regard.

I'm not sure how to answer the poll since I am unsure if I am on the spectrum or not.
Not NT though I guess since I have SPD, but I am not nurturing whatsoever.
I am empathic or w/e the word, though. I just have no interest in taking care of others whatsoever.

I do care about people and often find myself wanting to help, but "nurturing" as such doesn't really occur to me. It's pretty much always some sort of "concrete" help - I'm more of a problem-solver, I guess. I can't handle people who just want a pat on the head or something, because they'll be describing their problem and I'll say "well, you could do this or this or that about it"...which usually gets a response like "RARRRGH, I wasn't ASKING for a solution!"