It is easy to define the roles of a parent and child. Parents take care of their children to support their physical and emotional needs. Whereas kids focus on their own growth and development. But what happens if there is a role reversal? Parentification is a role reversal that forces the child to become an emotional caregiver for the parent. In such cases, the parents, fail their responsibilities and depend on the kid for emotional and physical support.
Parentification is a psychological term that refers to a dynamic in which a child is forced to take on the role of a parent, assuming responsibilities and caregiving duties that are typically associated with adults. This phenomenon often occurs in families where the actual parents are unable or unwilling to fulfill their parental roles adequately.
When parents fail at their duties and responsibilities, the kid becomes easily vulnerable. It affects the growth and development of the kid. As a result, the child deals with adult issues with little or no knowledge at all. It is a form of negligence or even abuse that leads to relationship trauma breaking the bond between the parent and the kid. It also leads to stress and anxiety in young children. Because they do not get the support and protection they need for their age. This trauma can have both short-term and long-term impacts. The kids face both mental and physical pressure. They also struggle with relationships as they grow up.
It is the most damaging type of trauma where both parents get their emotional support from their children.
This is the second type of parentification where the child handles the tasks and responsibilities of a parent.
The trauma and issues continue in adulthood. It affects both the mental and physical well-being of the child.
The treatment usually begins when the parentified child grows up and realizes their unhealthy childhood. At this point, they have to seek therapy to cope with the anxiety, insecurities, depression, and stress. The therapy will also help children to deal with parent-child relationships. You may even consider cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, family therapy, yoga, and meditation to repair the damage that arises from a bad childhood.
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