The Beckham family feud has taken a new turn, with Brooklyn Beckham blocking his mother Victoria on Instagram after she liked a video of his roast chicken. The incident highlights a growing trend among younger generations: cutting off parents with clinical terminology and minimal guilt.
Terms like 'NC' (no contact) and 'VLC' (very low contact) have emerged from online communities where adult children share experiences of estrangement. While family alienation is nothing new, its codification into a structured system removes stigma and legitimises painful decisions, according to commentators.
Critics argue that the 'no contact' movement can be flippant, with parents accused of narcissism, borderline personality disorder, and gaslighting. However, data suggests estrangement is widespread: 27% of Americans are estranged from a relative, while UK charities estimate 20% of families are affected.
Half measures like 'grey rocking'—staying in touch while emotionally disengaging—offer alternatives. For the Beckhams, Brooklyn's attack on his parents via Instagram stories underscores his own limitations, while the Peltz family's legal battles reveal equally challenging dynamics.
