"Narcissistic Mom, Toxic Dad": The Trend That Goes Deep Into the Family

A growing trend of estrangement between adult children and their parents, once considered extreme, is becoming common. Experts attribute the phenomenon to the expansion of psychological concepts, changing expectations of the family, and a culture of personal identity. A survey of about a thousand estranged parents found that 82% identified the increased use of extreme labels as a cause of the estrangement.

A growing social trend of estrangement between adult children and their parents, once considered an extreme phenomenon, is becoming increasingly common. Experts point to several key factors driving this trend. The first factor is the expansion of psychological concepts: in the past, estrangement occurred mainly in cases of severe physical or emotional abuse, but today many young people define everyday conflicts or repeated criticism as "toxic" or "abusive." A survey of about a thousand estranged parents found that 82% identified the increased use of such extreme labels as a factor leading to estrangement. Another factor is the change in expectations of the family unit: in the past, families were seen as an eternal and obligatory relationship, but today there is a shift toward a model of "democratic closeness," where maintaining family ties depends on their quality. At the same time, the culture of personal identity plays a crucial role: young people define themselves through the prism of gender, politics, sexual orientation, and mental health. When parents disagree with these perceptions, they are seen as a hostile factor, and cutting off contact is perceived as a moral act of self-care.