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LB's avatar

It is NO surprise that the younger generations are normalizing cutting off ties with significant people in their lives. First - divorce becomes normalized. Then it's divorce from family since most Millennials and Gen Z's are single...who is the next person they can "divorce"? A parent or both.

In the end, these sad selfish narrow minded individuals will be alone w/ no deep lasting relationships. And no experience overcoming conflict. There are becoming untethered individuals whose lives will start to feel meaningless. Is it NO surprise that everyone in this category is depressed?

Many of my close long-time friends are on the opposite political spectrum but I won't stop being friends with them or meeting up with them. And I couldn't ever imagine not wanting to talk or see family. And my husband has some wackadoo family members, but if a family event arises, I won't avoid it.

Is it then no surprise that a recent NYT bestseller novel from a YALE graduate is centered around breaking family ties? This book had a 17-way bidding war from publishers! Every generation and every family member becomes estranged with each other. The book was the most uninspiring and depressing story. If I read it when I was 20, I would think "oh, maybe I should do the same. why not?"

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Ted Balaker's avatar

Really interesting parallel to divorce. That had never occurred to me, but it makes sense.

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The Radical Individualist's avatar

My family is very varied in their politics. But we care more about each other than about political parties. If forced to choose between party and family, all of us will choose family.

I feel sorry for the people who feel more tied to a political party than to their own family.

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Ted Balaker's avatar

It's heartening to hear about families like yours, TRI

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The Radical Individualist's avatar

We had great parents. They were both active in the community. They set us in no direction, left right, up, down. Our direction was ours to decide. BUT...They insisted that we be honest and fair.

I really don't know if either had any particular party loyalty. They never said.

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Ted Balaker's avatar

"BUT...They insisted that we be honest and fair." Wow, what great role models

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Hector Herrera's avatar

I would say the same about friendships. I've experienced both. People who will put the friendship above political disagreements and, recently, people who make the friendship conditional to political alignment.

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The Radical Individualist's avatar

It makes you wonder about friendship. I can't imagine basing friendships on someone's political affiliation.

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