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Genogram Indifferent Relationship Symbol
The indifferent relationship symbol is shown as a gray dotted line between two people in EasyGenogram. Use it when the relationship is marked by apathy, emotional neutrality, or low investment rather than active conflict. This guide explains when indifference is more accurate than distant, cutoff, or close notation.
Indifferent Symbol Example in a Genogram
Indifferent Symbol Example in a Genogram
Marcus Dubois and his sister, Lorraine Dubois, exchange a call on birthdays and holidays and little else.
Neither brings up the other in conversation, neither seeks the other out, and neither seems bothered by that.
Marcus and Lorraine sit in their existing structural position as siblings, and the indifferent line runs between them.
Indifferent vs. Distant vs. Cutoff
- Distant/Poor: single dotted red line. Emotional disengagement, some strain or distance still felt.
- Indifferent: gray dotted line. Baseline apathy, no real investment either way, without active tension.
- Cutoff: red line. Estrangement, active or complete severance of contact.
A distant relationship still carries some feeling about the disengagement.
Cutoff is an active severance.
Indifferent sits underneath both of those; the two people may still interact routinely, they just don't care enough to feel strain about it either way.
How to Add It in EasyGenogram
Select the relationship line and choose Indifferent.
Indifferent Symbol Example in a Genogram
Explore this genogram and adapt it to your needs.
FAQ
What does the indifferent symbol look like on a genogram?
A gray dotted line between the two people, marking apathy rather than tension.
Is the indifferent genogram line directional?
No. It's non-directional, representing a shared lack of investment between the two people.
What's the difference between indifferent and distant genogram symbols?
Distant implies some emotional strain behind the disengagement. Indifferent implies neither person feels much of anything about the relationship at all.
What's the difference between indifferent and cutoff genogram symbols?
Cutoff marks an active or complete severance of contact. An indifferent pair may still interact routinely, holidays, obligatory calls, without any real investment in each other.
Can an indifferent relationship change over time?
Yes. If the dynamic shifts toward genuine distance, tension, or reconnection, update the line on the genogram to Distant, Conflict, or Close as appropriate.