Present but absent is quiet simple to analyze. It means the parent is still in the home yet is unavailable. You’ve heard the phrase “emotionally unavailable?” That’s this. If parents aren’t able to share from the heart or express love and affection to their child, this is being present but absent.
Kids are thirsty for affirmation from their parents, whom they view as heroes, so if a child never gets praised or doesn’t feel accepted, they’ll feel lonely, even in a house full of people.