Families can be complicated or wonderful (but usually both). There are times when a person may feel it necessary to end contact with a family member. These reasons can vary significantly: there may be a history of abuse or neglect, really challenging communication, high levels of conflict, or strong differences in opinion about important issues. Estrangement can also occur after a big life transition, like getting married or having children. Sometimes estrangement can look like complete disconnection, or very calculated communication, only discussing specific topics and avoiding sensitive ones altogether.
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