The Best Way to Handle a Family Estrangement
Whether your goal is to reconcile, maintain permanent distance, or something in the middle
If you’re not estranged from a family member, the odds are decent that you know someone who is. Robust data is hard to come by, but according to one estimate, as many as 12 percent of mothers are estranged from at least one of their children, with the number even higher for fathers. A 2015 study published in The Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Science called familial estrangements “widespread,” noting that it’s “perhaps nearly as common as divorce in some segments of society.”
While the numbers may still be fuzzy, these kinds of familial disruptions can be devastating for anyone who experiences them. Estrangements can come with intense feelings of loss, distressing perceptions of stigma, and overall lower levels of psychological well-being, whether you’re the one who initiated a step back or the one who’s reeling from a relative’s decision to sever your relationship. While there’s no way to totally erase the hurt you may feel, you can make the situation a little easier on yourself and hopefully achieve the outcome you’re looking for.
If You’re Looking to Keep Communication Open…
You can allow the other…
