The days when a father's mere presence in the compound induced terrifying silence are rapidly fading, replaced by complex, often exhausting, modern parenting negotiations. However, the pendulum often swings to the other extreme, creating households lacking basic boundaries and leading to the chaotic "good cop, bad cop" scenario. The modern mum often finds herself reluctantly wearing the badge of the "bad cop." Emotional Labor: The psychological burden placed on the "bad cop" parent who must constantly regulate the household's behavior. The concept of good cop, bad cop is fundamentally flawed because it pits parents against each other and allows children to manipulate the dynamic.

Source: The Star February 23, 2026 06:03 UTC