Social commentator and mental health advocate Yasmin Shiraz is getting traction online with a stern warning to parents that love alone is not enough to address serious mental illness or dangerous entitlement—particularly when personal safety is at stake.
In a video posted on Instagram via her platform @empowerwithyasmin, Shiraz reflected on a troubling pattern she says has emerged within a single week: multiple cases in which parents were allegedly killed by their adult children.
Her post was captioned bluntly: “Parents: Love won’t cure mental illness or entitlement.”
A Pattern That Alarmed Viewers
Shiraz referenced several recent cases she had previously discussed on her page, including the death of opera singer Jubilant Sykes, who was allegedly killed by his son, and a separate case involving an elderly woman, Lorena Royster, a 72-year-old Prince George’s County resident whose son was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
She also mentioned a high-profile case involving film icon Rob Reiner and his wife, stressing that allegations involving their son remain unproven and that no convictions have been made. Shiraz was careful to distinguish between alleged cases and those already adjudicated, stressing the importance of accuracy while still confronting what she described as a deeply disturbing trend.
“These stories happen so fast,” she said, explaining that she wanted to ensure Sykes’ life was not overlooked amid the rapid news cycle.
Mental Illness, Boundaries, and Parental Safety
Central to Shiraz’s message was the role of untreated or severe mental illness in cases where a child harms a parent. While acknowledging that mental illness is often a factor, she cautioned parents against believing that continued sacrifice or support will necessarily change the outcome.
“As parents, we’re always trying to help more, do more,” she said, noting that many hold onto hope that “this time something will be different.” But she warned that love and assistance, on their own, do not cure mental illness.
Shiraz urged parents to prioritise boundaries and personal safety, stating plainly that parents “deserve to be safe,” even when dealing with their own children.
Raising Concerns About Entitlement
Beyond mental health, Shiraz highlighted what she described as a growing sense of entitlement among some adult children.
“There’s this energy of entitlement,” she said, where parents become targets of conflict when they refuse to provide money, housing, or other resources. While she stopped short of suggesting parents should fear their children, she stressed the importance of being alert to warning signs.
“You should be aware of the things that you are seeing,” she said. “Because they are very real.”
A Message Resonating Beyond Instagram
Shiraz’s video has resonated with many viewers, particularly parents and caregivers navigating relationships with adult children facing mental health challenges. Commenters praised her for addressing a sensitive topic that is often discussed in whispers, not warnings.
Her broader message was one of balance: compassion without denial, love without self-endangerment.
“You can love your child,” Shiraz said, “and still protect yourself.”
As conversations around mental health, family responsibility, and safety continue to grow online, Shiraz’s remarks underscore a difficult but increasingly urgent reality—one that challenges long-held assumptions about parenting, sacrifice, and unconditional support.
