The CRAM Podcast ~ Extraordinary Ideas Unleashed

Why do families become estranged?

Mary Ito Season 1 Episode 113

The holidays can be a joyous time for many families.  

But  it can also be the saddest time for those who are experiencing estrangement.

It’s something many parents don’t talk about.   The pain and the shame that a child is no longer in their lives can be enormous.  But estrangement is common. 

One U.S. study found a significant number of families will undergo some type of estrangement.  

So how do you deal with it?  And not just on a personal level but in a broader social context – especially during the holiday season when getting together with family and friends is expected?

Denise Whitehead knows a lot about conflict in families and teaches a course on it.  I found this to be a valuable, insightful interview on parent/child relationships - whether you’re going through an estrangement or not.   I learned a lot.  

INFO ON GUEST:

Denise Whitehead is an Associate professor in the Dept. of Sexualities, Relationships, and Families, at St. Jerome’s University, the University of Waterloo. 

Denise recommends this book:  Rules of Estrangement by Dr. Joshua Coleman.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/622584/rules-of-estrangement-by-joshua-coleman-phd/9780593290644

and Fault Lines by Dr. Karl Pillemer:

https://a.co/d/5HBC3jI


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