What is parentification?
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Parentification is when a child is burdened with responsibilities that are typically those of an adult, disrupting normal childhood development. According to , it often involves children taking on physical or emotional caretaking roles for a parent or siblings. This can include tasks like feeding themselves or siblings, putting themselves to bed, or emotionally supporting a parent as if they were a peer or therapist 1.
describes parentification as children being put into the parent role, a situation common in families with addiction, narcissism, or codependency. The child becomes a confidant or best friend to the parent, taking on emotional burdens that are inappropriate for their age 2.
explains that parentified children often have to attune to their parent's emotional needs or even take care of basic needs due to parental inability. This results in the child prioritizing others over themselves and can lead to issues of self-neglect and difficulty forming healthy relationships in adulthood 3.
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