Jesse Watters is a prominent supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, known for his role as a political commentator on Fox News. However, this support took a toll on his family, as his mother, Anne Watters, disinvited him from Thanksgiving shortly after Trump was elected.

This year’s election has created a split among voters, and it is similarly affecting families as they come together for the holidays.

As experts in psychology and public opinion research, we’ve noticed an increase in emotional polarization, which is leading families and friends to limit or even end their relationships over political disagreements. Political beliefs have increasingly become the primary reason people choose to connect with or distance themselves from others, even more than factors like race, religion, and gender.

To examine the impact of politics on familial relationships, we conducted a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults shortly after Election Day. We explored how politics has changed their relationships with loved ones and whether they’ve limited or cut off contact as a result. We also inquired about what could help mend these rifts.

Additionally, we spoke with clients dealing with family estrangements to collect personal accounts.

Here’s what we discovered.

If you’re distancing yourself from family over political views, you’re not alone.

Currently, half of all adults report being estranged from a close family member. While interpersonal issues often stem from specific comments or actions, about 40% attribute these separations directly to differing political views. Nearly half of the individuals estranged because of politics report that the split occurred within the last year, with 1 in 7 indicating it happened in the past month.

These estrangements can lead to total communication breakdowns, including blocking family members on social media and cutting off all contact.

There are only slight differences in estrangement rates based on political beliefs, with liberals (21%) and conservatives (20%) experiencing it slightly more than moderates (14%).

As Tolstoy noted, every unhappy family is unique, but through our extensive counseling, we find that the pain leading to and following family fractures often shares similar traits.

Jonathan Simcosky, who identifies as a “gay son of a Southern Baptist preacher,” shared his painful story of cutting ties with his father. Although he previously respected his father’s commitment to moral values, he couldn’t reconcile that with his father’s support for Trump: “If we can’t agree that Trump is unfit for office, then I don’t see how we can agree on anything significant. Ultimately, I feel I can no longer trust or respect my parents.”

A retired police officer, who has consistently voted for Trump, described his estrangement from his liberal son and wife. They made it clear that because he supported Trump, they did not wish to maintain a relationship with him, resulting in lost access to his grandchild.

Many families divided by politics still hope for reconciliation

Simply sharing political beliefs does not guarantee familial harmony. One matriarch from a secular Jewish family found herself at odds with her son after he posted pro-Hamas comments on social media following the Hamas attack on Israel. Despite attempts to resolve their differences through texting, he ultimately severed ties, claiming she promoted genocide.

Our polling reveals that most Americans disapprove of the behavior displayed by the sons in these narratives. Approximately two-thirds agree that disowning a family member over political beliefs is unwarranted and believe that many political disputes within families could be resolved.

Nonetheless, repairing these relationships is challenging. Just over half of those who have been estranged due to politics would like to reconcile. An apology from the estranged relative or a noticeable change in behavior may improve the chances of reconciliation, but many feel that a reconnection seems unlikely.

In our consultations, we frequently encounter families stuck in lengthy disputes, each waiting for the other to make the first move towards resolution.

Waiting for the other party to apologize can lead to prolonged distance in relationships. The idea that offering an apology is a sign of weakness or a compromise of one’s values keeps once-bonded relatives apart.

Our research indicates that even the loneliness or social obligations during holidays often fail to motivate many to mend their differences.

Families Face Increased Political Division

No matter one’s religion, race, ethnicity, or gender, family ties may feel more strained today, largely due to what sociologist Zygmunt Bauman referred to as “liquid culture.” This era is marked by swiftly evolving norms and values.

The once-strong connections and common beliefs that bound families together have diminished, resulting in more fragile relationships that can easily be affected by political and cultural divides.

This situation compels us to put in extra effort to acknowledge our roles in conflicts, practice greater empathy toward differing values and viewpoints, and steer clear of the futile pursuit of proving someone else wrong. It’s a challenging endeavor in any relationship, though many discover that the benefits outweigh the challenges.

The old adage of “never engaging in discussions about religion or politics with those who disagree” may still hold relevance. This principle was popularized in Arthur Martine’s “Hand-Book of Etiquette and Guide to True Politeness,” aimed at promoting civility in the wake of the Civil War.

Regarding Fox News’ Watters, he casually dismissed his Thanksgiving disinvite during a broadcast. The ensuing social media reactions were polarized. One user noted on X: “I disagree with several family members. But I keep my thoughts to myself. They’re entitled to their opinions just as I am to mine.”

How charming – and fitting.

Joshua Coleman is a psychologist, a senior fellow at the Council on Contemporary Families, and the author of “Rules of Estrangement: Why Adult Children Cut Ties & How to Heal the Conflict.” Will Johnson serves as CEO of The Harris Poll, a leading public opinion research firm.