Empty nest syndrome is a general feeling of loneliness that parents or guardians may feel when one or more of their children leave home; it is more common in women. The marriage of a child can lead to similar feelings, with the role and influence of the parents often becoming less important compared to the new spouse.
A strong maternal or paternal bond between the parent and child can make the condition worse. The role of the parent while the child is still living with them is more hands-on and immediate than is possible when they have moved out, particularly if the distance means that visits are difficult.
When children move away, mothers can get what is called “Empty Nest Syndrome”, which is generally accepted as the lonely, abandoned feeling of the home being empty. In order to fill the void of the empty house, many people look for something that is living and breathing that will take their mind off of their feelings, like a pet.
Empty nest syndrome has become more prevalent in modern times, as the extended family is becoming less common than in past generations.
In many cultures, such as those in Africa, India, the Middle East, and East Asia, one's elderly parents are held in very high esteem and it is considered almost a duty to care for and respect them. In contrast to most Western societies, extended families were common in those places. However, nowadays, even in these countries, as cities become more Westernized and industrialized, values are gradually changing. It is sometimes rather inconvenient or impractical to live with or care extensively for one's parents in a modern setting. Empty nest syndrome is starting to surface in some of those nations and regions as well, where traditional values come in conflict with Westernization. This has been especially the case for Hong Kong and India.