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The closer a person is to our heart, the easier they can hurt it. Who cares about what some distant stranger thinks of us? Our family, however…
A man recently turned to the internet, claiming his own brother had always tormented him. The cruel behavior started in childhood and persisted all the way to early adulthood, when he finally decided that enough was enough and cut ties not just with his toxic sibling but also with their parents who enabled him.
Things were seemingly going great, but one day, the man received a call that would force him to confront the past.
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Some siblings have rivalries, but these brothers had a particularly toxic relationship
Two men facing each other closely outdoors, illustrating family conflict and kidney donation tension.
Text excerpt about a man refusing to donate his kidney to a family member despite regrets and past conflicts.
Text excerpt about family conflict over kidney donation and refusal to save brother despite their past treatment.
Text excerpt showing a man reflecting on family duty, betrayal, and karma after his brother’s harmful actions.
Text excerpt showing a man describing walking out after family conflict, related to kidney donation and loss of his brother.
Text excerpt about a family asking a man for a kidney after he lets his brother die, showing emotional conflict.
Text excerpt about family dynamics and kidney donation conflict after past mistreatment.
Text excerpt discussing family conflict and kidney donation dilemma after brother's death and strained relationships.
Sometimes it’s not entirely clear who estranged who
In recent years, familial estrangement has become a hot topic. “Sibling estrangement can be really painful, and it’s also very stigmatized,” says Rin Reczek, a professor of sociology at Ohio State University, adding that people on both sides of an estrangement often feel a sense of failure, as though the split is somehow an indictment of them or their values.
According to her, there isn’t much data on how widespread sibling alienation is, but one German study suggests that almost 30 percent of siblings have experienced at least one period of estrangement.
A YouGov survey released last year found a similar figure and reported that nearly one-quarter of American adults say they are currently estranged from a sibling.
Dr. Reczek acknowledges that there are many reasons siblings become estranged. But research suggests that parental favoritism, whether real or imagined, can definitely drive a wedge between them, as can parental manipulation.
And while sibling estrangement can seem like the best path for some, psychologist Joshua Coleman, author of the book Rules of Estrangement, still describes it as a “cataclysmic event” for the family. Nieces, nephews, and cousins may lose touch, and parents may be pulled into taking sides, says Dr. Coleman, who has dealt with estrangement in his own family.
So quickly after posting his story, the man answered some of people’s biggest questions
Young man leaning against a wall looking distressed, reflecting on family kidney request after betrayal and loss.
Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing restraining orders and mentioning British nationality in text format.
Commenter reflecting on family conflict and kidney donation, expressing sympathy and legal advice about restraining orders.
Screenshot of a social media comment expressing shock about a family asking a man for a kidney after mistreatment.
Comment text on a white background discussing family audacity related to asking for a kidney despite their past actions.
Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing family conflict involving a restraining order and accusations against a brother and parent.
Screenshot of a forum comment asking what a friend’s mother said after being told to kick someone out.
Comment expressing sympathy for family struggles and mentioning supportive parents and future adoptive parents.
Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing family betrayal and the audacity to ask for a kidney after mistreatment.
Family asks man for kidney despite toxic history, leading to tragic consequences for his brother’s life.
Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a family asking a man for a kidney after mistreatment.
Comment suggesting to seek help online for a restraining order after family conflict involving a kidney request.
Screenshot of a social media comment expressing anger toward a family asking for a kidney after mistreatment.
Screenshot of an online comment expressing sympathy about family issues related to kidney donation and betrayal.
Screenshot of an angry comment expressing strong refusal about family asking for a kidney after past mistreatment.
Reddit comment discussing family drama and betrayal related to kidney donation and brother’s death situation.
Comment discussing family asking for a kidney despite past betrayals, suggesting cutting off contact completely.
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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.
Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.
I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.
I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.
(shrug) If he's uncomfortable sharing a room with a gaay person, then surely he wouldn't be comfortable sharing a kidney? Just applying his homophobic logic here ;)
(shrug) If he's uncomfortable sharing a room with a gaay person, then surely he wouldn't be comfortable sharing a kidney? Just applying his homophobic logic here ;)
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