My teenage son and I used to be close but this past year he's become completely shut down and angry and I know some of it is normal adolescence but I also suspect he's dealing with things I can't help with if he won't talk to me. We're living in the same house but feel like strangers and I don't know how to bridge that gap.
More people experience this than they realize.
Adolescent withdrawal can mask serious struggles but forcing connection often deepens the divide between genuine concern and developmental autonomy.
“Where Are You with African communal parenting traditions?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.