oprah winfrey sheds light on family estrangement, which she calls “one of the fastest growing cultural shifts of our time,” and one expert says the media mogul has helped foster that very culture.
“A Cornell University study found that almost one-third of Americans are actively estranged from family members,” Winfrey said on a recent episode of “The Oprah Podcast,” referring to adult children who are “out of touch” with parents, siblings, or even entire family members. family system.
Winfrey said the trend is a “silent epidemic” and could be particularly relevant during the holidays.
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But Tania Casale, a family and relationship coach who focuses on combating “cutoff culture,” criticized Winfrey’s actions on social media, as if the crisis of alienation had come “out of thin air.”
“Oprah has been one of the biggest voices pushing for defection for decades, and now she’s shocked by the fallout,” said Cazale, who is based in Canada. instagram videos, It received over 27,000 likes and over 3,000 comments.
Casale argued that Winfrey’s message contributed to a cultural shift that began in the 1990s, where leaving was a first resort rather than a last resort.
The relationship coach says millennials, who grew up watching Oprah, are the key demographic at the disconnect. family And even if it was unintentional, “the impact was absolutely detrimental,” Cazale told FOX News Digital.
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The coach, who has a history of marginalization himself, questioned why Winfrey was now treating the issue as a shocking crisis.
“Right now, she’s hosting discussions like this.” estranged parents And they talk about their estranged children and estrangement as if it were some sudden, heartbreaking, hidden epidemic that they had no part in,” she said in the video.
Cazale said he believes the conversation about alienation is necessary, but argued that people should not “rewrite history.”
“Alienation is not fun or entertainment.” Topic conversation topics“It’s real families, it’s real grief, it’s parents dying without hearing their children’s voices,” she added.
winfrey reportedly responded The comment read, “I’m happy to talk about this, but not on reel. If you’re interested, the producers will contact you.” However, the comment was later deleted after receiving backlash, Casale told Fox News Digital.
“I’m still open to that argument,” Casale said. “The first thing I want her to understand is simple: Abuse and dangerous cases aside, the family unit is the most sacred structure we have.”
“When children lose a sense of belonging at home, they look for it in the outside world,” she added. “it is, emotional vulnerability we are meeting today. ”
Her criticism sparked debate online, with some social media users saying Casal was voicing long-standing concerns.
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“The first time I heard the phrase ‘You can love from afar’ was from Oprah…in the 1990s,” one woman said.
”my son became estranged One mother commented: “She was taken away from us for 5 years. The pain, hurt and damage will never go away.”
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But others argued that Winfrey’s podcast episode resonated and that alienation should not be oversimplified.
mental health experts They say the conversation around marginalization is more complex than the influence of a single celebrity and reflects broader cultural changes.
In an episode with Ms. Winfrey, California-based psychologist Joshua Coleman said, “The old days of ‘honor your mother and father,’ ‘respect your elders,’ and ‘family is forever,’ have given way to a greater emphasis on personal happiness, personal growth, identity, political beliefs, and mental health.”
Coleman noted that therapists can unintentionally become “breakup brokers.” Leave the green light.
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Jillian Amodio, a master’s degree social worker at Maryland-based Waypoint Wellness Center, told Fox News Digital that while public figures like Winfrey have helped normalize these conversations, marginalization may now be a more openly discussed topic.
“Employment used to be handled privately and quietly,” she says.
But experts say even strained relationships can be repaired with the right support.
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Family members can strengthen their relationships by working with doctors, said Susan Husness, clinical director of patient programs at North Carolina-based Lula Health. mental health professional Improve your communication, learn healthier conflict resolution skills, and build trust and empathy by spending quality time together.
“No family is perfect,” Funes told FOX News Digital.
Casale agreed, saying, “Parents need to learn how to listen without rationalizing, and children need help talking about their pain without blaming or avoiding.”
FOX News Digital has reached out to Winfrey for comment.
