Loss of a Parent

Ideas that might clarify the loss or help people deal with it.

There are many ways in which to describe the feeling of losing a parent. Those who have experienced this have written books, made YouTube videos, and even contributed to TedTalks. The subject can be studied through narratives and textbook style knowledge, but many would argue that you can never truly know the loss until it is experiences. It is often described as a “club” or a members-only group in which people with dead parents only understand. According to Carver, Pruett, and Hayslip, the experience of losing a parent can cause an individual to fear losing others in the future, therefore causing them to avoid commitment or close long-lasting relationships. In my personal experience, it can momentarily cause a change in personality, a change in motivation, and a general shift in perspective on life. The younger adults tend to be more open about their losses, I found endless YouTube videos of teenagers and BuzzFeed reporters sharing their stories and experience of losing a parent online for the world to see. However, upon several hours of research, I only found a few videos like this from the perspective of older adults. Understandably, older adults use technology and social media less, and are therefore not used to tweeting their every thought the way us millennials are so accustomed to. But I still found it disheartening that there is such less resources, whether it be chat rooms, online groups, Facebook pages, or stagnant research on databases when it comes to older adults and losing a parent. It seems as if the older generation are more expected to be prepared for the loss, and therefore need less help.

Below are some articles, resources, and videos that may help someone understand who has never experienced the death of a parent, and how to better help someone who has. Social Workers who are thrown into settings of helping someone through a loss in which they have never experienced is quite common. Conducting ample research, talking to those who do have experience, and participating in dialog with friends and family about these losses are some innovative ways one can begin to understand. Some of these resources could also help someone who is going through the loss themselves, as well as some activities that can help with coping with the loss of a parent.