Perhaps there is a generational issue. My boomer parents would definitely say they feel closer to us, then their parents felt to them. However, that's the issue. When someone is distant and not asking much from you, then there is no reason to cut them off. But if is somebody is sucking the life out of you, by being emotionally exploitative, (mental health issues) then you feel more need to cut them off. My grandparents may not have been as friendly as my parents, but they asked for far, far less of their children.