You sound like you'd be right at home in some of those families. Glad the MC is more open minded, kind, and able to change and grow. If you're confused, look up the definition of Character Development.
It's very possible, if anytime, as you said, that people reply with a similar comment, that they just might be on to something hm? The fact that you have enough data points to show that both, people always say that and that you keep writing comments that get those reactions, speaks volumes about your own character development, or lack there of.