Digging deeper into Parental Estrangement…
Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
To delve deeper into parental responsibility in estrangement, it's crucial to explore the various dimensions of parental behavior and its impact on family dynamics…
Parental Behavior and Communication Styles
Research indicates that certain parental behaviors and communication styles can contribute to the likelihood of estrangement. For example, authoritarian or controlling parenting styles characterized by rigid rules and lack of emotional validation may strain parent-child relationships and increase the risk of estrangement (Scharp, Thomas, & Byrd-Craven, 2018). Conversely, supportive and empathetic parenting fosters healthy communication and mutual respect, reducing the likelihood of estrangement (Williamson & Baxter, 2019).
Moreover, unresolved conflicts and unresolved trauma within the parent-child relationship can create emotional distance and exacerbate tensions, leading to estrangement (Muller & Bowman, 2019). Parents who fail to address past grievances or acknowledge their children's autonomy may inadvertently contribute to the breakdown of the relationship.
Cultural and Societal Influences
Cultural norms and societal expectations also shape family dynamics and influence the perception of parental responsibility in estrangement. In collectivist cultures where filial piety and family harmony are prioritized, the stigma surrounding family estrangement may discourage open communication about relational difficulties (Tseng, 2020). Consequently, parents and children may feel pressured to maintain superficial harmony despite underlying conflicts or dissatisfaction.
Conversely, in individualistic societies like the USA, prioritizing autonomy and personal fulfillment, humans may feel more empowered to assert their boundaries and distance themselves from toxic or dysfunctional relationships (Fingerman et al., 2018). In such contexts, estrangement may be perceived as a legitimate form of self-preservation rather than a betrayal of familial obligations.
Psychological Resilience and Coping Mechanisms
Individual differences in psychological resilience and coping mechanisms also influence the likelihood of estrangement and the attribution of parental responsibility. Adults who have experienced adverse childhood experiences, such as neglect or abuse, may develop coping strategies that involve detachment or avoidance as a means of self-protection (Thomas et al., 2021). In such cases, estrangement may be a survival mechanism rather than a reflection of parental fault.
Furthermore, intergenerational patterns of dysfunction or trauma can perpetuate estrangement across multiple generations, highlighting the systemic nature of family dynamics (Cook et al., 2020). Parents who have experienced estrangement in their own families may unwittingly replicate similar behavior patterns, perpetuating a cycle of relational breakdown and estrangement.
Final thoughts
Parental responsibility in estrangement requires a humble understanding that while research may reveal schemas of family estrangement, multifaceted factors shaping each family dynamics abide.
In other words, while parental behavior and communication styles undoubtedly influence the likelihood of estrangement, cultural norms, societal expectations, and individual resilience play significant roles.
Be well, stay kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Cook, J. M., McCarthy, G., & Muldoon, O. T. (2020). Adult children’s estrangement from their parents: A scoping review of prevalence estimates, reasons, and psychological implications. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 21(5), 938–951.
Fingerman, K. L., Yahirun, J. J., Kim, K., Birditt, K. S., & Zarit, S. H. (2018). How do relationships with family members living elsewhere affect older adults' wellbeing? Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 73(2), 349–358.
Muller, R. T., & Bowman, M. (2019). The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Adult Health: A Review of the Literature. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 40(3), 177–180.
Scharp, K. M., Thomas, K. A., & Byrd-Craven, J. (2018). Parental control, adolescent autonomy, and parent-child affiliative tendencies: Exploring the links. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(3), 336–346.
Thomas, K. A., Byrd-Craven, J., Mills-Koonce, W. R., Lopez, B., & DeBoard-Lucas, R. L. (2021). The Development of Adolescent Emotional Distancing and its Associations with Adolescent Adjustment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50(3), 461–474.
Tseng, W. (2020). Filial Piety as Social Capital and Parent-Child Relationships: A Qualitative Study of Chinese American Immigrant Families. Journal of Family Issues, 41(5), 776–799.
Williamson, H. C., & Baxter, L. A. (2019). Involuntary Kin Loss and Well-Being: Why and How Parents and Adult Children Experience Communication Breakdowns and Estrangement. Communication Monographs, 86(2), 168–192.
