Children Quote by Helen Simonson
““It was frustratingly common that children were no sooner gone from the nest and established in their own homes, in Roger’s case a gleaming black-and-brass-decorated penthouse in a high-rise that blighted the Thames near Putney, than they began to infantilize their own parents and wish them dead, or at least in assisted living.””
About This Quote
The passage describes how adult children, after establishing independent lives, often begin to treat their aging parents as dependent, sometimes wishing for their removal or institutional care.
In simple terms: Adult children may infantilize aging parents.
Treat elders with respect.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- caregiving
- family planning
- social services
- housing decisions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can families maintain mutual respect?
- What support helps avoid resentment?
Societal pressures can strain parent‑child relationships.