In this call‑in segment, a long‑time listener contacts Dennis Prager to share a painful family situation: both of his adult sons have cut off contact with him and his current wife, preventing them from seeing their grandchildren. The caller explains that the estrangement began roughly ten years ago, possibly linked to a past divorce, rumors spread by an ex‑spouse, and perhaps differing political views. He describes his attempts to maintain the relationship—honoring birthdays and holidays—yet receives no response. Dennis listens empathetically, probes for details about step‑children status, the role of the divorce, and the reasons given (or not given) by the sons. He then situates the personal story within a broader cultural context, suggesting that many adult children are alienating their parents, reflecting a loss of respect and a “participation‑trophy” mentality in modern society.
Chapters
Dennis?
Yes.
Oh, thank you for taking my call. I've been a long-time listener. Thank you. First-time caller, so I'm a little nervous.
It's okay. It's very normal.
I have a son in California with my two grandkids, both males. They refuse to let me see him. I have another son in Michigan with a granddaughter. Who also refuses to let me see them. I think it's based on— I don't talk politics with them, but he knows my political views, and it could be a collective reasoning through a divorce of some reason or my political views. But they don't return our calls. They don't accept our calls. Who is our— who is our myself and my wife, right?
Are you, are you the parents of these children, the two of you? Are these stepchildren to your wife? Are they the children?
They're stepchildren to my wife. They're my blood grandchildren, right?
So, uh, you mentioned divorce. Is that a factor in their alienation?
I think so. When did you— when did your ex-wife spread rumor unrelentless rumors about me and my ex-wife.
When did that start?
Uh, it started about 10 years ago when they were, when they were younger. And how old were they? I didn't have, I didn't have the opportunity to defend myself, or the divorce was a, was a, was a part of infidelity on my wife's, on my ex-wife's part. But anyway, my, my present wife has nothing to do with my relationship with my grandchildren, and they've just totally cut me off and cut my, my wife off.
What is the reason that they have given?
They don't, and that's the— that's what's so frustrating. I've tried, I reached out to them, I send them— I've also— I've honored their birthdays, I've honored their Christmas holidays, and I'm their blood grandfather, and I don't get any And you know, I listen to you a lot, Dennis, and thank God I do. Honor thy mother and father. And they don't get it. They were raised in a Christian family, they were raised in a good home, and when they became adults and had grandkids, it's like they've lost all semblance of manners, respect, right? And I just don't get it. I don't get it anymore.
Yes, I know, I know. I feel for you, God. I feel for you. I've said that this is, this pandemic bothers me more than COVID. The pandemic of adult children not speaking to a parent and often not depriving them of any relationship with the grandchildren. You gotta be pretty, pretty mean. Just mean. And the amazing thing is the ability of mean people to think they're wonderful. It is, it is why I remember when the self-esteem movement began. And it was misnamed, and I said it then. It should have been the unearned self-esteem movement. Self-esteem that's earned is fine. And the trivial example of it, but nevertheless an example, is giving trophies to kids for playing. Participation trophies. Not for winning, for breathing. That's what we have today. He is not alone. You have no idea, folks. I almost sound a little eccentric in this, and I admit it. On my bucket list in life is to talk to this man's children.
