Portland Man Seeks Advice on Estrangement From Daughters Due to Ex-Wife’s Religious Beliefs
A Portland, OR resident, writing to Dear Abby, shared how his ex-wife's strict religious beliefs led to a estrangement from their two daughters after their divorce.
Portland, OR, August 25, 2026 —
A Portland, Oregon resident has reached out to the advice column Dear Abby, detailing a painful estrangement from his two daughters. The father shared that the rift developed after his divorce and is linked to his ex-wife’s “strict religious beliefs.”
The man, whose name was not provided in the communication to Dear Abby, explained that following the dissolution of his marriage, his ex-wife’s adherence to her religious convictions has created a significant distance between him and their two children. The specifics of these religious beliefs and how they directly contributed to the estrangement were not detailed in the summary.
The father’s letter to Dear Abby highlights the complex emotional fallout that can occur in families after divorce, particularly when differing beliefs or lifestyles become a point of contention. The summary did not include the daughters’ ages or how long the estrangement has lasted.
Dear Abby, a syndicated advice column written by Jeanne Phillips, offers guidance on personal dilemmas. The circumstances shared by the Portland resident represent a common, yet deeply personal, challenge faced by many divorced parents seeking to maintain relationships with their children amidst family changes and differing values.
The summary provided does not include any details regarding the father’s specific request for advice, the nature of his relationship with his daughters prior to the estrangement, or any actions he may have taken to try and bridge the divide. Further information on Dear Abby’s response or the specific religious beliefs cited was not available.
Story summarized from the original created by Abigail Van Buren on www.oregonlive.com, see more information here.
