The Orphaned Generation ― Estrangement Between Parents and Adult Children

This book may give some insight into the tragedy of losing a child WHO IS STILL ALIVE. It is a compilation of stories of parents estranged from their adult children. This book is about families whose children did not suffer abuse, deprivation or neglect. Why then the estrangement? In some cases, divorce, money issues—parents excessively accommodating their kids without any expectation of responsibility, and parents too controlling. The biggest surprise was that in many cases it was “Mind Control” by the In-laws”, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and parents-in-law. The In-laws were changing the family dynamics by slowly cutting off all contact. How much responsibility do the adult children have in abandoning their parents? In some cases, the integrity of the family is broken by the reluctance of the in-laws to include the parents, but not without the adult child’s acquiescence. What are these children made of? Are there character flaws in them? Are they too weak to stand up against the alienation of their parents and a way of life which should include them? Is this a new age of “disposable parents” like diapers? We parents grew up in a more authoritative environment than our adult children, and it would never occur to us to abandon our parents, no matter ‘the crime’. Therefore, we are now the “Orphaned Generation”. I decided to experiment and test my theory by placing ads in the local newspapers. I invited people to share their family stories, anonymously with me, for a book I hoped to write. To my surprise, I received a number of responses from families more than willing to tell their stories. This book is a compilation of stories of parents estranged from their adult children that may at times shock you, may make you cry or even depress you. These people could be your neighbors, or even your friends, who were never able to share their sad stories with people they know.