Disownment

Disownment occurs when a parent, sibling, or relative renounces or no longer accepts a child or relative as a family member. It might be due to actions perceived as reprehensible or lead to severe emotional consequences. Different from giving a child up for adoption, disownment is a social and interpersonal act and may take place later in the child's life, which means that the disowned child would have to make arrangements for future care. Among other things, it implies no responsibility for future care, making it similar to divorce or repudiation, meaning that the disowned child would have to find another residence to call home and be cared for.