AITA for not wanting any contact with my father?
Throughout my childhood, my father physically and verbally abused my mother and brother. He also blackmailed my mother and didn’t allow her to work or have any independence. He would be screaming at them one moment and then showering them with affection the next, creating an unstable and confusing environment. Because of this, I grew up avoidant, constantly anxious and dealing with long-term emotional issues.
Recently, I visited my hometown and tried to talk about my childhood trauma. Instead of acknowledging anything, my mother immediately denied it.Called me names and dismissed it all as "the past". It was complete invalidation of my experience.
Given all this, am I really the asshole for choosing not to maintain a relationship with my father and for sharing my pain with someone who understands what I went through?
Posted Dec 1, 2025, 7:00 PM UTC