What Is ‘Default Parent Syndrome’ and Why Does It Lead to Divorce?
“Default Parent Syndrome” happens when one parent takes on the role of primary caregiver and household manager. Often, this role goes beyond everyday chores, like packing lunches and checking homework, to anticipating everyone’s needs before those needs even arise. At this point, the role that can become overwhelming and lead to the breakdown of relationships.
Today there seems to be an increase in ‘default parent divorce’ spurred, in part, by the fact that many mothers – the typical ‘default parent’ – now try to balance this role with their careers. The financial independence they’ve achieved through their careers opens more options for them. But divorce doesn’t have to be the answer. To learn more about ‘default parent syndrome,’ how it can damage relationships between partners, and what can be done to fix that damage, read “’Default Parent Divorce’ Is On The Rise – & It’s About A Lot More Than Chores.”