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How Estrangement Has Become an Epidemic in America (time.com)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I have broken all contact with my mother and her Trump loving husband. Best decision I've made in a long time. I personally don't want them influencing my children with their frankly crappy attitudes and shitty politics.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

This reminds me of https://www.issendai.com/psychology/estrangement/missing-missing-reasons.html

At least the reason for estrangement is clearly not missing in the situation(s) being discussed.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Social psychologists have long understood that merely identifying with a group in competitive contexts can lead people to view those outside the group less favorably.

Ah yes. It's because they are on the other team that proud Trump supporters are being ostracized. The fact Trump and his allies have blatantly advertised goals that are dangerous, damaging, bigoted, hateful, and generally horrific... and their poorly hidden goals are even more so... has nothing to do with it. It's just competition bringing out the worst in the rest of us.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago

I mean, ingroup and outgroup biases are well demonstrated phenomena.

But uh. Sometimes things aren't JUST biases. Sometimes the other team is, well and truly, bad and worthy of our scorn.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Gullibility and ignorant malice are an epidemic. Hate and stupidity are an epidemic. Estrangement is self-preservation and a symptom. We aren't boomers, we don't stay in abusive relationships because "that be how the world be".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

Well said.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago

I am recently estranged from a narc parent.

Unfortunately in my case, it isn't both of them. I have tried to explain to the other why I can't roll with it, but it has been very difficult. Collateral damage, but I feel like I have no other option.

Scruples are about the only thing a lot of us have anymore.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 4 months ago

Maybe its just that I was disowned in 2015 for being trans, but I find it hard to be sympathetic. We choose who we vote for and if your loved ones say your political views are so reprehensible that they won't speak to you, either take the cue or accept that you shit the bed and now you have to lie in it

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