Parentification Parentification is seen by some as a form of child neglect as it restricts childhood development through the denial of basic needs and experiences (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Spark, 1973; Hooper 2007 a, 2007b). Parentification is characterized by the relationship between parent and child, where the parent is either unwilling or unable to uphold his or her emotional and/or physical responsibilities as a caregiver. As role reversal occurs within the family, duties may be delegated to the child by the parentifying adult or the child may voluntarily accept these responsibilities, despite the incongruence between the developmental responsibilities of these tasks and the developmental maturity of the child (Aldridge, 2006; Mechling, 2011). In
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Often times one or both of the parents are debilitated for either physical, emotional, economic or social reasons; making them dependent on the child to meet their needs and the needs of the family. It is important to note that there are two subtypes to the phenomena of parentification, each of which may be associated with different consequences in childhood and later adult life (Aldridge, 2006; Hooper 2007a, Hooper et al., 2008; Katz et al., 2009). The first subtype, instrumental parentification, encompasses duties such as preparing meals, shopping, paying bills, and taking care of financial matters. This subtype typically occurs in households where both parents are debilitated in a way that requires daily care due to illness or other factors such as having to keep the family financially afloat (Hooper, 2007a). Instrumental parentification is believed to be the less detrimental of the two subtypes, as it can foster a sense of accomplishment and competence when acknowledged (Aldridge, 2006; Hooper,
Often times one or both of the parents are debilitated for either physical, emotional, economic or social reasons; making them dependent on the child to meet their needs and the needs of the family. It is important to note that there are two subtypes to the phenomena of parentification, each of which may be associated with different consequences in childhood and later adult life (Aldridge, 2006; Hooper 2007a, Hooper et al., 2008; Katz et al., 2009). The first subtype, instrumental parentification, encompasses duties such as preparing meals, shopping, paying bills, and taking care of financial matters. This subtype typically occurs in households where both parents are debilitated in a way that requires daily care due to illness or other factors such as having to keep the family financially afloat (Hooper, 2007a). Instrumental parentification is believed to be the less detrimental of the two subtypes, as it can foster a sense of accomplishment and competence when acknowledged (Aldridge, 2006; Hooper,