Family Estrangement Navigation

Before You Begin: A Gentle Warning

Before you start reading, please understand that the topics discussed here can be emotional and potentially triggering. Reader discretion is advised.

Estrangement is a subject many people avoid. It’s not easy to talk about, and it often comes with a flood of uncomfortable questions: Why? When? How? What happened? Who caused it? Because of that pressure, many people choose silence over vulnerability, keeping their experiences hidden even from those closest to them.

To clarify what estrangement means, Scharp (2019) defines family estrangement as a process that occurs “when at least one family member voluntarily and intentionally distances themselves from another family member because of an often ongoing negative relationship.” She further explains that, “similar to divorce, parent–child estrangement can be an intergenerational issue; this means that adult children who distance themselves from their parents might eventually be distanced from their own children” (Scharp, 2019).

In this blog post, we’re going to explore what estrangement looks like in its different forms. Most people have either experienced estrangement themselves or know someone who has. The causes can vary widely. Some studies suggest that certain family communication styles play a role in why people become estranged from one another. Sibling estrangement, in particular, has its own unique dynamics—where trauma meets real life, and real life meets real pain.

My goal here is to educate you to the best of my ability while also sharing personal insight to help you connect with the topic. If this subject intrigues you—or if you feel you need clarity to better understand what’s happening in your own family—read on.

Next, we’ll look at estrangement between parents and children. If that section resonates, continue on to explore sibling estrangement in depth.