Parenting is described as an innate tendency of humans. Anthropological, psychological, and psychoanalytic writings are cited in support of this idea. A case of agoraphobia is presented in which the patient's fears could be traced to her concerns for the safety and welfare of her parents. This was induced by their own dependent behavior and by unconscious frustration of her drive toward independence. The patient's phobia is thus understood as related to pathological, premature stimulation of the innate parenting tendency. The author discusses the extension and consequences of this point of view. One consequence may be severe, intractable resistance to analysis.