Parental Alienation

What is Parental Alienation (PA)?
PA is a set of strategies that a parent uses to promote a child’s rejection of the other parent. PA means using the children as weapons to hurt and denigrate the other parent. PA is spousal abuse by proxy usually aiming for power and control.It is also a form of child abuse.

How can it be detected?
A child rejects a parent in the absence of reason and usually as a result of the favored parent’s use of parental alienation strategies.

How can we distinguish PA from realistic estrangement (RE)?
In RE, a child rejects a parent for a reason (abuse on the part of the rejected parent, withdrawal on the part of the rejected parent).

How can PA be prevented?
Maintaining equal rights and responsibilities for both parents as a starting point in separation helps prevent Parental Alienation. PA education should be included in divorce education programs. Evidence-based investigations of alleged PA can distinguish PA from RE. Strong and prompt consequences for serious alienators, including removal of custodial rights may be essential.

Movie about Parent Alienation

Research:
Survey of 106 custody evaluators: 100% reported that they believed it was somewhat or very much possible for one parent to turn the child against the other parent even when the rejected parent was not abusive. (Baker, 2007)

Over 98% of 300+ attendees at AFCC, June 2010 said “yes” agreeing that some children become manipulated by one parent to irrationally and unjustifiably reject the other parent.

Parental Alienation Awareness (April 25, 2012):