Free Republic

Public conversation about family estrangement has intensified following comments by Oprah Winfrey discussing the growing number of adult children who choose to distance themselves from their parents. Critics have accused her of promoting what some call a modern “cut-off culture.” Supporters argue she is simply giving voice to people who feel wounded by their families. But the truth is more complicated than the debate suggests. Family estrangement is not a phenomenon limited to abusive or dysfunctional homes. It happens in families that, from the outside, appear loving, stable and responsible. It happens in homes where parents worked long hours, sacrificed...

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.” … Social psychologists have long understood that merely identifying with a group in competitive contexts can lead people to view those outside the group less...

I was recently asked to pray about the death of a woman’s sister. I had not known the person who died, but because the tragic circumstances of this family’s loss are all too common, I feel compelled to write on the subject of death. Out of respect for their privacy, I will not identify them. But their situation is universal, and my message is for everyone. The woman was in declining health. By the time her sister got there, she had passed away. There was no time left to say good-bye; no time left to say I love you, I...

Man says Dr. Phil was inspiration to scare wife Fredonia man to serve 6 months, undergo counseling Port Washington - A Fredonia man who says he was influenced by TV talk show host "Dr. Phil" McGraw to hire someone to give his wife "a terrific scare" by kidnapping her and locking her in a truck of a car was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail and ordered to undergo mental health counseling With the man's wife, five grown children and several friends looking on, Ozaukee County Circuit Judge Tom R. Wolfgram also sentenced Ronald J. Schueller to three years...