By Lena Vasquez, Community Features & Culture Editor

A recent YouGov survey found that nearly half of parents—47%—say they’re only staying together for the kids.

That number hits hard. It means a lot of couples are keeping their families together not because they’re happy, but because they think it’s the best thing to do for their children. But is it?

Some experts say a two-parent home is more stable. Others say living in a house where there’s no love—just silence and going through the motions—can do more harm than good.

Kids pick up on tension, even when nothing’s being said. The quiet, the lack of affection, the way two people avoid each other—it sticks with them.

A mom from Sacramento told us she and her husband are just waiting until their youngest finishes high school. “We get along. We don’t fight. But we’re not in love. We haven’t been for a long time.”

A dad from Roseville said it’s about doing what feels right: “You don’t want to break up the family. So you keep going. You show up. You try. But sometimes it’s just… lonely.”

Parents stay together for all kinds of reasons—fear of hurting the kids, financial worries, fear of being alone. But sometimes, it’s about duty. You tell yourself this is what a good parent does.

The question is: at what cost?

Is staying better than splitting up? Or is showing your kids what honesty and self-respect look like the bigger lesson?

No one has all the answers. But behind a lot of family photos are parents wondering how long they can keep it up.