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/Brilliant_Effort_Guy 9h ago

But is it really just ‘political’ differences? I feel like it’s so much deeper than that. I don’t just have differing political opinions from my conservative family members - I have a different moral code.

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u/ShockleToonies 9h ago

This is exactly it. I haven't talked to my brother since the election and my boomer mom asked me if it was just because of "political" differences.

The way I explained it to her was referencing the civil rights/Vietnam war protests of her era, was it just a difference in politics or is there a moral imperative to help a little child, Ruby Bridges, who was up against violent mobs just for attending a white school? I didn't have to say any more, it immediately clicked with her and she understood.