Some people don’t realize what parenting means / entails and they grow resentful. Some couples can’t handle the responsibility and it ruins the relationship / makes them go through the motions. A part of those will blame the child instead of themselves for creating a life.

There could also be personality differences / two stubborn people bashing heads.

Usually it does mean it is a pathological family. Kid leaving at 18 is only okay if it is their choice that isn’t caused by bad relations with the family, and for whom the door is always open to visit, or even return.

This just go for me.

I want my kids out by 18 and the reason I want that is because they are 4.0 students. I don’t want them to stay home and study, I want them to experience a different state and see the different way of living besides California. I tell them they will always a place at my spot but I really hope they get to experience school/life that can make life long friends and memories.

Our kid couldn’t WAIT to leave. We were happy to have him as long as he wanted to stay, but he hit the door for college and never looked back.