Estrangement Has Become an Epidemic in America
time.com
'According to our research, today, 1 in 2 adults is estranged from a close relative,' write Joshua Coleman and Will Johnson.

He’s a father of a 28-year-old son and he’s hurting. A retired police officer, he proudly voted for Donald Trump every time he ran and never hid his political beliefs from his family. “My son and his wife say that since I’m a fan of Trump they’re no fan of mine and cut me off,” he said. “Now I can’t see my only grandchild who I was so close to. It’s crazy and it’s tragic.”

It’s also increasingly common. The 2024 election spatchcocked the nation, widening a rift that was exposed in 2016 and put in an even sharper gulf four years later. Now, the hyper-partisan politics in the shadow of the 2024 election is breaking the bonds of families to a greater extent than ever before.

  • SacralPlexus@lemmy.world
    45·
    22 hours ago

    Two-thirds of survey respondents agree that ending contact with a family member because of political beliefs is not justified and that most family fights over politics could be easily resolved.

    Ah yes those pesky, abstract “political” beliefs shouldn’t get in the way of family. Such esoteric ideals like

    • I believe in human rights.
    • Rapists should not be in power.
    • Nazis are evil.

    Who could ever let a silly disagreement over politics spoil a relationship? /s

    • yuri@pawb.social
      17·
      16 hours ago

      It’s hard to be told “everything will be fine” when much of the incoming administration believes trans people aren’t real/shouldn’t exist/are all groomers. And it’s really difficult to even associate with folks who voted for this and refuse to see the coming storm.

      Fucken, not to compare everything to nazis but it is LITERALLY the “first they came for x, but i am not x so i said nothing”, only it’s the fucking PARENTS hearing THEIR KIDS say “I don’t feel safe” and saying nothing except “can you believe my crazy children?”