Disenfranchised grief — when loss isn't recognized

Disenfranchised grief is grief for losses the culture does not recognize as worthy of mourning — the death of an ex-partner, loss through estrangement, the miscarriage no one knew about, the death of a friend when family is expected to mourn more. Without social recognition, grief has no container, and the bereaved person mourns alone, often doubting the legitimacy of their own sorrow. This domain examines the territory and argues for expanding the circle of recognized loss.