The Great Family Exodus: When "Honor Thy Father and Mother" Became Optional
How Modern Society is Rewriting God's Blueprint for Family
In a world where "toxic" is the buzzword of choice, more and more adults are ghosting their parents faster than you can say "Fourth Commandment." But what happens when we treat family like a bad Tinder date?
The Great Family Exodus
Family life in America isn't just on life support. It's flatlining.
We're not talking about the usual suspects: declining marriage rates or the child-free movement.
No, this is a whole new level of family dysfunction.
Adults are cutting ties with their parents. Completely. Permanently.
Sunday dinners? Ancient history.
Now we're lucky if we share a meal with anyone under our roof.
But it gets worse.
People are legally disowning their parents.
Yes, you read that right.
They're getting paperwork to sever ties officially.
Why? To avoid paying for elderly care or funerals.
"Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12) has become more of a suggestion than a commandment.
Millennials and Gen Z are leading this charge.
But younger generations are joining in.
I'm pushing 45. I remember the 90s.
Back then, estrangement was unthinkable.
You'd hear things like:
"But they're family!"
"They have to love you."
"How would you feel if your kids did that to you?"
Admitting you were estranged? Social suicide.
It could cost you everything.
Jobs. Friends. Respect.
The problems haven't changed much.
But our solutions?
They've gone off the deep end.
Now it's "empowering" to cut off "toxic" family.
"Chosen family" trumps blood relations.
Personal peace outweighs family obligations.
But here's the hard truth:
This spits in the face of our Christian values.
God designed family as society's cornerstone.
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6).
It's where we learn love, respect, forgiveness.
Running from family robs us of spiritual growth.
We're called to honor our parents.
To bear with one another.
To forgive as we've been forgiven.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Cutting ties should be the nuclear option.
Not our go-to move.
It's time to push back.
We need to model healthy family dynamics.
That means:
Communicating, even when it's hard.
Setting boundaries without burning bridges.
Extending grace, remembering we all mess up.
Seeking godly counsel, not worldly wisdom.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).
Our society's future hangs in the balance.
Will we choose isolation and individualism?
Or will we fight to restore the family unit?
The choice is yours.
But remember:
Your actions today shape tomorrow's families.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).
Choose wisely.
The family that prays together, stays together.
But the family that ghosts each other?
They're writing their own ticket to generational heartache.
Let's turn this ship around.
Before "Honor thy father and mother" becomes as outdated as a flip phone.
I spent time with my kids. And actually loved them and sacrificed for them. I took them with me to church, they got taught the righ5 things and had role models. In around 2008 everything slowly started changing. My friends, previously open and loving became more distant. My kids, adults (born 86 and 89 and 92) got less and less a part of our lives. Oldest never says I love you. Texts twice a year. Has 3 kids that have nothing to do with me and don't even thank me for presents. He married a woman who was raised by alcoholics that he got pregnant when her father had him move in. The father is dead now. But he's the hero of my sons life. His wife is in total control. I have nothing against her but in 17 years I've never had an actual conversation with her. Even as I had her visit, went miles to visit them, spent $$$. All 3 are completely disinterested in us. It's heartbreaking beyond measure. Siblings who we always had a relationship with. No longer can be bothered. Quick texts. No substance. Hard to deal with. Hard to not blame myself, since I'm the common denominator.
People who haven't had it happen in their family don't realize this is a widespread epidemic. The "preparation" for it seems to have begun quietly in the 90s thru media & tons of pressure to see counselors for everything. Counselors ruled - they also gave errant advice, such as the idea of separating from "toxic" family. It WAS unthinkable before, now it is mainstream. The enemy has had so much success in separating us from God. Only God can heal and do the miraculous work to turn it around and restore. 🙏🏻