Posted on 03/29/2025 6:54:15 PM PDT by DoodleBob
He’s a father of a 28-year-old son and he’s hurting. A retired police officer, he proudly voted for Donald Trump every time he ran and never hid his political beliefs from his family. “My son and his wife say that since I’m a fan of Trump they’re no fan of mine and cut me off,” he said. “Now I can’t see my only grandchild who I was so close to. It’s crazy and it’s tragic.”
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Social psychologists have long understood that merely identifying with a group in competitive contexts can lead people to view those outside the group less favorably. Historically, those dividing lines were differences like religion, race and ethnicity, age, and gender. Today, political affiliation is the most significant determinant of this us-them division, research shows. Furthermore, affective polarization makes “belongers” feel justified in treating those in the opposing party with disdain, contempt, and even hostility.
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According to our research, today, 1 in 2 adults is estranged from a close relative. While the primary cause of these rifts is often tied to something a relative said or did, 1 in 5 directly cite political differences as the reason. Among those estranged over politics, nearly half report that the break occurred within the past year, with 1 in 7 stating it happened as recently as the month leading into the election…
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Just over half of those who are estranged because of politics want to reconcile to some degree, and an apology from the relative or demonstrable change in their behavior may increase that potential. But most say reconnecting is unlikely, with 1 in 5 saying they never want to make up. Our survey shows that even a death in the family or an intervention by a relative isn’t enough to get most to resume contact.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
That’s pretty sad. I’m so happy that our family is 99% united re politics. (One gay nephew in SFO is an outsider, and one of his sisters, too.)
My mom’s funeral was last April, and it turned into a MAGA rally at the get-together after the service.
“Cousins’ Reunion” in 2022 was the same thing. Over 100 of us, from all over the world. (Some cousins were home on furlough from their foreign missions.)
“The Democrats are a death cult that practices shunning and breaks up families.”
Much like abusive spouses. That’s exactly how they operate to retain control of the victims.
Equating family to FReepers you don’t even know? Quite a stretch.
What is the legal basis for demanding their parents' money? Are the kids trying to claim the parents are incompetent?
I know a couple of women whose children wanted them to sign over the house to them. I know one who's friend actually did sign over her house - but allowing her to live there. Unbeknownst to her the daughter and s-i-l took out a big mortgage to build their dream house. Bad ending. A bad real estate recession hit and they lost her house and their half-built dream house.
One example a couple had a Son who was off and on employed and parents had had 20 acres and a house paid for and he took them to court and demanded they sign over everything ro him and move into a retirement condo...He hired a bottom feeder lawyer who sued them...They won but it cost them plenty.
In my case they claimed they were promised by my deceased Father..nothing in writing, just their word... What it was they thought sueing me would scare me into submitting but they underestimated me and my intelligence on waging a war.
I appreciate your thoughtful perspective on these issues. I just am not optimistic that we will achieve any meeting of the minds soon, maybe never. The divide (as I interpret it from their posts and comments) is vast, and they don’t plan to grant any mercy or consideration. I knew we were not all in agreement on political issues, but I never anticipated the vitriol and hostility I have been seeing.
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