Talk:The Parent Map/@comment-34705800-20180331213949/@comment-7345250-20180405100135

Probably because the quintessential family farm is the most absurd setting for both parents to be absent for any reason.

It would have been unreasonable to assume Fluttershy was an orphan because she grew up in Cloudsdale, which we have only visited on occasion.

It would have been unreasonable to assume Starlight was an orphan because her place of origin is completely unknown.

However, it is very reasonable to assume Applejack is an orphan for the following reasons.
 * 1) The family business of three generations is a deeply entrenched part of the Ponyville community. Applejack's parents have been completely absent from this business for many years now.
 * 2) The parents have remained completely absent from their children's lives, even at such times as Applejack's departure for Orange life in the city.
 * 3) The kids never even knew their mother's maiden name until her father appeared. Granny Smith felt it was her responsibility to tell them, and she apologized for her failure to do so. This is the real smoking gun IMO.
 * 4) Burnt Oak. Everything about Burnt Oak. The Apple kids learn more about their father from him than they knew growing up. Not to mention he speaks as if they're long gone. "Come to ask about your dad? I wondered if you might. Hoped you would. It's nice to talk about him..." No one talks about the living in these terms.
 * 5) Visual cues ranging from pairs of shooting stars to the intertwined trees they left behind in Ponyville. There seems to be more a focus on what they've left behind than what they may or may not really be doing.

Whereas there is a lack of evidence in other ponies' cases, there is no shortage where the Apples are concerned.