World · 5 February 2026
Why are adults choosing low contact relationships with parents?
Adults increasingly enforce "low contact" boundaries with toxic parents to combat emotional distress. Marie, in her 40s, slashed communication three years ago after her mother dismissed her neurodivergence diagnosis. This rising trend sees individuals restricting calls to emergencies and rejecting visits to protect mental health. Therapists advise controlling exposure to unsupportive relatives, as people prioritize emotional security over traditional family obligations and sever links with narcissistic dynamics found in dysfunctional households.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs