The Oprah Podcast on Parents and Children Going #NoContact
The Queen of Talks' candid conversation about one of the fastest growing family social dynamics of our time.
A Cultural Shift
In a recent episode of The Oprah Podcast, the Queen of Talk explored a trend reshaping families across America: parents and adult children going “No Contact.”
What once sounded extreme is now becoming mainstream—especially among Gen Z and Millennials. “No Contact” is defined as completely cutting off communication with someone. It’s more than ignoring or distancing. It often includes:
Blocking numbers
Removing social media connections
Deleting old messages and photos
Eliminating emotional “triggers”
Online, the movement is being framed not as a rejection, but as an act of self-care and self-preservation.
Why #NoContact Is Surging Right Now
Younger generations are openly talking about:
Mental health
Trauma
Emotionally unsafe environments
The desire to break “unhealthy relationship cycles.”
And this openness is reshaping how society views parent–child relationships.
A Cornell University study found that 1 in 3 Americans is estranged from at least one family member. This makes estrangement far more common than previously believed.
Oprah noted that many experts see a larger cultural shift happening:
Younger people have a broader definition of abuse, stronger boundaries, and greater willingness to walk away—even from family.
Meanwhile, social media is full of adult children expressing that they’ve reached their limit.
The Psychology Behind the Trend
Featuring insights from Dr. Joshua Coleman, psychologist & author
Dr. Joshua Coleman, author of Rules of Estrangement, explained the deeper dynamics:
1. The Traditional Model Is Crumbling
The old script of “honor thy mother and father” has been replaced by value systems centered on:
Personal happiness
Mental health
Identity and authenticity
According to Coleman, the most common reason he hears for estrangement is:
“I’m protecting my mental health.”
2. Social Media Is Making It Go Viral
There are now 2 billion uses of #toxicfamily on TikTok and Instagram.
Coleman warns:
“People on social media don’t know your parents or your child. They’re going to tell you what you want to hear.”
This phenomenon intensifies division and pushes people further into echo chambers.
3. We’ve Lost Our Tribes
America has become deeply divided. Coleman argues that people are searching for belonging—and in many cases, that belonging used to come from family.
Now, people look to online communities, influencers, or content creators for identity and validation.
But, he suggests:
“Your tribe used to be your family…and it still could be. But people have to relearn how to talk to each other.”
Is “No Contact” the Only Answer?
One author on the panel said:
“No contact is not the first option—it’s the last resort.”
She asks two important questions:
Can there be less contact instead of no contact?
Are parents even aware there is a problem?
This opens up a bigger conversation on whether estranged children may lack conflict-resolution skills or emotional tools to repair relationships.
Is forgiveness possible?
Is reconciliation possible—even in small doses?
Final Thoughts: The Bond We Can’t Escape?
One daughter interviewed explained that every time she sees a mother and daughter together, it physically aches in her heart.
And maybe that’s because—despite the modern movement—there may still be truth in the ancient saying:
Blood is thicker than water.
Even when the connection is fractured, uncomfortable, or limited, there is something eternal that binds us to our families. Research shows clear emotional, psychological, and even health benefits to staying connected to your “vine”—even if that connection is reduced or redefined.
The question is no longer whether estrangement is becoming common.
The question is whether we can find healthier ways to stay connected.
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Sources:
The Oprah Podcast
Dr. Joshua Coleman, Rules of Estrangement; Dr. Lindsay Gibson, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents; Nedra Glover Tawwab, Drama Free & The Balancing Act.