'No Contact' and the Erosion of Family

There is a deeply concerning movement in our society–the rise of "going no contact" and what many now refer to as "cut-off culture".

From personal experience, I have lived through the sudden and painful fracture of what was once a normal, loving relationship with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Without a clear cause or meaningful explanation, that connection was severed. >Like so many others, I was left searching for understanding.

One word that has become central in this cultural shift is "boundaries". It is a term frequently used by younger generations, and while it has a rightful place in situations involving true harm, it is increasingly being applied in everyday family relationships in ways that divide rather than heal.

In my generation, we did not define family through "boundaries" in this way. We worked through disagreements, stayed connected, forgave each other, and preserved the continuity of family life. Today, I fear this language –when misused– contributes to the erosion of the traditional family structure that has long been the anchor of our society.

To be clear, there are situations where distance is necessary. Some families are genuinely harmful. But that is not what we are seeing in many of these cases. What is emerging instead is a growing cultural trend that too quickly justifies separation over reconciliation and connection.

The true cost of this is often carried by the youngest members of the family. Children and grandchildren lose connection to their roots, their history, and the steady presence of extended family.

These bonds matter more than we sometimes realize. Even now, later in life, I carry with me the love, wisdom, and memories of my own grandmother–moments that helped shape who I am and continue to sustain me.

Strong families create grounded individuals. When those ties are weakened or broken, something essential is lost–not just for one generation, but for those that follow.

We must ask not only how this is happening, but also what it is doing to the fabric of family–and to the very foundation of our society. Because when family ties are weakened, the impact is felt for generations to come.