Never Met Relationship Symbol in Genograms

The never met symbol—a dotted gray line with an X—documents family members who have never met despite being related. This occurs in cases of family separation, adoption, estrangement before birth, or geographic distance.

Never Met: Dotted line with X

Understanding "Never Met" in Genograms

The never met symbol documents relationships that exist structurally (people are related) but have never been established through any actual contact.

Common Scenarios

Adopted children and birth family members
Children of cutoff relatives (cousins never met)
Relatives who emigrated before birth
Children of sperm/egg donors
Family separated by war or political circumstances

Clinical Significance

Never-met relationships may be sources of curiosity, fantasy, longing, or complete indifference. Understanding client attitudes toward these unknown relatives provides insight into identity and attachment patterns.

Related Symbols

Cutoff

Relationship existed then severed

Indifferent

Met but uninvested

Estranged Neglect

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