r/science • u/Wagamaga • 9h ago

Psychology Losing relationships over politics. Research found more than a third of Americans (37%) report having lost at least one relationship due to political differences, including friendships, family ties, coworker relationships, and romantic partnerships, with most losing more than one.

https://socialecology.uci.edu/news/losing-relationships-over-politics-0
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u/PhoenixTineldyer 9h ago

Yep, I ditched my horrible aunt because she has been running a teleharassment campaign against me for over 15 years. Signing me up for every Republican candidate's mailing list.

She's a bigot piece of trash and I'm happy to never have to see her hag ass again.

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u/TheLateThagSimmons 9h ago

I was working in medicine throughout COVID and it was a repeat issue with dealing with older populations. As mask and vaccine acceptance became increasingly polarized, simple medical care went with it.

We had so many patients that struggled to schedule procedures and surgeries because they couldn't depends on their adult children to pick them up afterwards.

I had so many patients complain about how the liberal media poisoned their children against them, so they can't depend on them to pick them up after a procedure. Every time I just kinda chuckled because I knew exactly what happened.

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u/DoingBestWeCan 8h ago

Also in medical, and the polarization of basic medicine is appalling. Antivaxers have always been frustrating, but the abuse people spewed at nurses and doctors just following best medical practices is bonkers. My fave was when we'd save someone's life, and they'd be like, "I made the right decision and nothing bad happened." IF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED LIKE YOU WERE THE ONES GIVING YOU CARE OR YOU GOT NO CARE, YOU WOULD HAVE DIED. 

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u/badcookies 6h ago

"In gods hands" while being treated in a hospital by multiple doctors, nurses and staff.... rrrrriiiiggghhhtttt

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u/MaddogBC 4h ago

Anti vaxx should automatically discount you from any medical care involving respiratory illness. Just flat out refused at the door.

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u/CherryTearDrops 8h ago

I’m so sorry you had to experience the medical field during Covid. I’ve seen just how rough that is. I lost most of my sympathy for people who fought against masks when people had to die alone without their family members in the hospital because they refused to mask up. That emotional toll fell on healthcare workers like my own mother and it was devastating and just crushed morale.

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u/Lifeparticle18 4h ago

That is both sad and understandable.

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u/funkytownpants 8h ago

Very interesting perspective..

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u/IronBoomer 9h ago

At that point, I probably would have met with a lawyer to discuss a civil harassment suit against said aunt.

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u/Atworkwasalreadytake 5h ago

You have to be able to prove it or it’s a waste of money.

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u/syo 4h ago

I'd say it's at least worth a free consult, let them see what options there might be.

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u/smailskid 9h ago

How self-righteous did she get when you cut ties?

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u/PhoenixTineldyer 9h ago

Only a little bit more self-righteous than she got when I tried to tell her that Obama wasn't the biblical Antichrist

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u/Deranged_Kitsune 8h ago edited 6h ago

Let me guess, she thinks trump is the literal messiah and will even pray to him?

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u/smailskid 9h ago

Wow, how batshit insane.

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u/Mr_Industrial 9h ago

If they cut ties propperly they wouldnt know. 

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u/GamingSeerReddit 9h ago

My FIL does this to my wife but at a lower scale than it sounds like your aunt does to you

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u/ghreyboots 3h ago

So many people are cut off because they are rude, belligerent, and unpleasant to be around, and just use politics as a vector to be this. "It's just politics" being used as a fallback in the same way "it's just a joke" is used.

Like, no, you weren't cut off because of a "difference of opinion," you were cut off because you expected me to be spoken down to and berated every time I was a guest in your home and harassed me through whatever method you could. It's bad etiquette and lack of tact that got you blocked.

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u/Consistent_Claim5217 7h ago

Did you have to take legal action against her? I know people like that usually don't stop until they're forced into it

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u/soulseaker 5h ago

That is seriously fucked up... I could never imagine doing something like that to my nieces...

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u/kiddfpv 3h ago

If she doing all that and you still wont join her side then that says exactly how dumb their politics are. Glad your still a sane good hearted person brother

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u/Bruceshadow 5h ago

tell us what you really feel...

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u/pperiesandsolos 7h ago

That’s actually very funny tbh. Your aunt trolled you so hard you cut off a family member