How Did We Get Here?

Family estrangement can seem sudden to one person and years in the making to another. How can two people experience the same relationship so differently?

In this episode, I examine the gradual deterioration of family relationships, from disagreements that never get resolved to the assumptions we make about people we've known all our lives.

I look at how family roles can outlast the people we used to be, why different memories don't necessarily mean someone is lying, and how avoiding difficult conversations can create the appearance of a healthy relationship.

There's also the question of responsibility. Sometimes concerns haven't been communicated. Sometimes they've been communicated repeatedly and ignored. Sometimes both people have contributed to the problem, although that doesn't mean they share equal responsibility.

Understanding estrangement requires looking beyond the final argument and considering the relationship that came before it.

More from AC Bergen-Fischer: https://acbergenwrites.com