Have you ever felt that you took more care of your parents than they did of you?
Do you feel like you practically raised your siblings?
Did you end up taking on a lot of responsibility at a very young age?
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If so, you may have experienced parentification.
The role of the parent is to give and the role of the child is to receive.
This article explores the types, causes, signs, and effects of parentification.
Effects of Parentification
Below, Dr. Romanoff outlines the effects of parentification on children.
They fear being labeled selfish or ungrateful and dont want their parents to turn on them.
Subsequently, they believe they must suppress their needs so you can maintain relationships.
They fear expressing their own needs, taking up space, or making waves.
They struggle to express their own needs without experiencing fear ofabandonmentor rejection.
Emotional Intelligence
Its important to note the strengths that come from parentification as well.
Children who have experienced parentification are often extremely responsible, organized, empathic, and connected to others.
They have extremely high levels ofemotional intelligence.
A Word From Verywell
Parentification is an unhealthy relationship dynamic that can have lasting effects on children.
2021;18(21):11454. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111454
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing child abuse and neglect.
2017;56(1):141-153. doi:10.1111/famp.12165
