Hardly surprising, but I being a novice, I used to have real problems parting off with the lantern type tool post on the compound that came with my first Atlas, then I acquired a rear tool post to fit on a T slotted turret type cross slide I had, this was such an amazing improvement that I never had any more fear of parting off at all. I would even go to the trouble of changing cross slides just for parting.
Then I got a second much better Atlas, I spent a lot of time and effort rebuilding and solidly mounting it, it is very well adjusted now and has a new Acetal lead screw nut, zero backlash.
It now has a QCTP fitted on the compound on the standard cross slide and I can part off with equal confidence at the front now. The only difference is that the finish to the sides of the cut is not so good using the parallel sided tool that came with the QCTP, whilst the one I use in the rear tool post has relief angles at the sides and also tapered away from the cutting edge, and gets an almost perfect finish.
So my conclusion is that if your lathe is worn, flexible, or not too ridgedly mounted, parting is much improved using a rear tool post, which in the case of an Atlas, means using a much longer cross slide, which also helps.
I may be wrong, but I am of the opinion that the forces involved lift the cross slide and carriage at the rear just enough to really tighten the gibs, and also pull the spindle down tight, as Mikey says, the reasons don't matter but what I do know for sure is it just works!
The added advantage of having a parting tool permanently ready for use is nice when turning small diam parts too, but a QCTP and a well set up lathe can get you the same results and is so more versatile.
Just my thoughts
Bernard