Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Cutting Off Their Parents

It’s a conversation many families are quietly having, and one that stirs deep emotions on both sides, the growing number of young adults choosing to distance themselves from their parents.

According to digital creator RichKid Wizzy, this trend is not about rebellion or disrespect, but rather about self-preservation and emotional healing. He explains that for many Millennials and Gen Z, love and responsibility alone are no longer enough to sustain relationships with parents who were emotionally absent or hurtful.

“Many of us were raised by our grandparents while our parents worked hard to provide for us,” he says. “But when we grew older and wanted our parents to show up emotionally the way our grandparents did, we were met with silence, criticism, or even abuse. So when some of us step back to protect our peace, we’re called ungrateful — yet all we’re doing is trying to survive.”

Online, the conversation has struck a nerve. One comment summed it up perfectly:

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but right now I need some space to focus on myself and figure things out. I’ll reach out when I’m ready. Thank you.”
Another reader responded simply, “Kusema hivo ni ngumu.”

Family therapist Josephine Wangui believes that the current generation is more emotionally aware and better able to name what hurts. “What we are seeing,” she explains, “is not a rejection of parents but an awakening. Many young people are trying to heal from the wounds of emotional neglect, harsh parenting, and unresolved family conflict.”

She adds that taking space doesn’t always mean permanent estrangement. For some, it is a temporary break, an act of reflection and self-care. For others, it is a necessary boundary to stop cycles of emotional pain.

Wangui advises parents to resist the urge to take it personally. “If your child needs distance, don’t rush to guilt or defensiveness,” she says. “Instead, ask yourself what they might have experienced growing up, and how you can rebuild trust through empathy, not authority.”

At the heart of this difficult conversation is a shared desire — both parents and children want love, safety, and understanding. The challenge lies in finding a way to reconnect, not from obligation or guilt, but from a place of mutual respect and emotional maturity.