Psychological Effects of Dual-Income Parenting on the Emotional and Behavioral Development of Children Aged 0 to 6 Years in Urban India: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The rising prevalence of dual-income households in urban India has transformed parenting dynamics, especially during the formative years of a child’s life. While economic empowerment is an advantage, the psychosocial cost on young children—particularly in terms of emotional bonding and behavioural regulation—is a growing concern. This study investigates the emotional and behavioural impact of dual-income parenting on children aged 0 to 6 years, focusing on families in Bangalore, India. Using Attachment Theory and Ecological Systems Theory as theoretical frameworks, the research explores how reduced parental presence, absence of extended caregiving (especially grandparents), and overreliance on digital devices affect a child’s emotional security and behavioural responses. A structured questionnaire was administered to 60 parents (30 mothers and 30 fathers) from the IT and service sectors. Key behavioural indicators included tantrums, screen dependency, storytelling to manipulate outcomes, and a reduced understanding of emotional context (e.g., empathy during festivals). Data analysis revealed that over 70% of respondents reported frequent emotional outbursts and dependency behaviours, with 60% noting poor emotional connection with their children. Simulated t-tests showed significant differences in child behaviour depending on grandparental presence and working hours. The study highlights that modern urban family setups, in the absence of traditional emotional buffers, may disrupt early socio-emotional development. The findings emphasize the need for emotional coaching for parents, work-life policy reforms, and structured early intervention programs in schools and pediatric care settings. The paper concludes with culturally grounded policy recommendations and directions for future research in early childhood emotional psychology. In addition to the reported behaviors, many parents observed a growing emotional disconnect between children and their immediate environment. Several children showed resistance to sharing, especially in social settings like parks, daycares, or schools. Emotional bonding with elderly family members appeared weak or absent in most cases, with children often expressing disinterest in interacting with older relatives. The preference for virtual stimulation over real-life connections was prominent; children were more responsive to cartoon characters and YouTube videos than to real-world emotional cues. Notably, love and attachment were often associated with gifts or material rewards, rather than gestures of affection or shared experiences. Children who lacked consistent caregiver presence exhibited behaviors such as over-dependence on parental attention during evenings, reluctance to leave their rooms, and emotional reactivity when denied privileges. The inability to handle “no” was a recurring theme across responses. Physiological observations also emerged: some children were described as weak eaters, either receiving excessive nutrition supplements or displaying poor eating habits due to lack of caregiver supervision during meals. Working parents frequently relied on maids, supporting staff, or daycares to manage their children’s routines. Evening interactions were often more indulgent, with parents attempting to compensate for weekday absence through treats, mall visits, and unstructured play. This led to weekends becoming emotionally charged and reward-focused, further reinforcing materialistic tendencies. Children in such settings appeared to struggle with emotional regulation, lacked patience, and showed signs of difficulty delaying gratification, suggesting emerging emotional imbalance.