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Choosing family over family can be one of the most painful decisions a person has to make

Person with head in hands, expressing family conflict emotions.

Image credits:Daniel Martinez/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Especially when others feel like they can pressure you into making one decision or another

Text discussing family conflict over a wedding invitation, involving exclusion due to past incidents.

Child sitting on a bed looking pensive, contemplating family issues.

Image credits:Media_photos/Envato(not the actual photo)

As her story went viral, the woman provided more context on her family’s situation

A woman sits on a bed, covering her face with her hands, expressing emotion related to family conflict and a wedding invitation.

Image credits:Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Image credits:fokaifemme

Around 29% of Americans are in a similar position as the woman

While there is no irrefutable data on whether estrangements are increasing or decreasing, some experts suggest that, with celebrities sharing their experiences, others may feel more comfortable divulging their own family struggles too.

“Families have always been complicated, and now we’re talking about it more,” says Lucy Blake, PhD, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of the West of England in Bristol and author of the bookNo Family Is Perfect: A Guide to Embracing the Messy Reality.

People dealing with estrangementhave been foundto benefit from therapy in specific ways, including receiving warmth, validation, and safety, which may have been missing in their previous relationships; addressing the causes and resulting fallout from their estrangement; and also working on their relationship skills.

A woman in distress in a white shirt, depicting family toxicity and stress.

Image credits:Nini FromParis/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Onepollof over 11,000 Americans conducted in 2022 found that more than one in four Americans — 29% — report being estranged from an immediate family member, including siblings, parents, children, or grandparents. This number is slightly higher for men, with 31% reporting estrangement compared to 27% of women.

Also, people between the ages of 30 and 44 are the most likely age group analyzed to report estrangement from a family member, possibly because they are more likely to have family members in each of these categories.

Whether or not you agree with the author of the post, at least the silver lining is that she’s taking a proactive approach to protect her children and work out the disagreements she’s been having with her relatives.

The mom also has addressed some of the questions people have had about the conflict

Reddit comments discussing family conflict and wedding invitation issues.

Reddit comments discussing family conflicts and sibling favoritism.

Reddit conversation discussing family conflict and wedding invitation dilemma.

Reddit AITA discussion about declining a sister’s wedding invitation due to family conflicts.

The majority expressed full support for her

Reddit comment discussing why someone should not attend a sister’s wedding invitation.

Reddit comment criticizing a grandmother, questioning her actions towards her grandchild.

Comment discussing family and addressing children’s behavior, mentioning a sister’s responsibility and immaturity.

Text comment discussing family conflict and advice to block sister.

Reddit comment discussing family dynamics and accountability in a “AITAH” situation.

Reddit comment discussing family conflict and wedding invitation refusal.

Reddit comment discussing declining a wedding invitation due to family issues.

Text discussing family issues and wedding invitation, addressing racism and colorism in the Hispanic community.

Comment about shutting sister out, advising to involve police if niece harms child again.

Text post discussing family disagreements and protection for kids, with a focus on refusing wedding invitations.

Text discussion about family dynamics and wedding invitation issues.

Comment supporting family boundary decision against sister’s actions.

Reddit comment supporting someone declining a wedding invitation to protect family boundaries.

Text reflecting family conflict over visiting rights after a wedding invitation was declined.

Reddit comment advising on family boundaries and wedding invitation refusal.

Text discussing blocking family over abuse issues, refusing sister’s wedding invitation.

Text post discussing family boundaries and protecting kids from harm.

Reddit post discussing family conflict and a wedding invitation, emphasizing protecting kids from toxic relatives.

Comment discussing family issues and wedding invitation decision.

Reddit comment discussing family conflict, bullying experiences, and decisions about a sister’s wedding invite.

Reddit comment discussing family conflict over a wedding invitation.

Text exchange discussing family dynamics and children’s safety.

Reddit comment discussing family issues and advice on cutting ties with a sister after an incident.

Text from a user discussing shutting out sister for family’s well-being in an online forum.

Online comment about family issues and wedding invitation.

Reddit comment discussing family conflict and boundaries regarding a sister’s actions.

But some have been critical

Reddit comment criticizing decision to cut sister out of family and not the mom.

Comment suggesting to cut family ties, related to wedding invitation.

Comment showing disapproval of someone for shutting a sister out of family life, related to a wedding invitation.

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