Parental Alienation Definition: What is That, Signs and Syndromes

Parental alienation definition is when one parent attempts to alienate his or her child from the other. They either physically take the child away and deny the other from seeing the child, or influence the child into disliking or fearing the other until the child does not wish to have a relationship with them.

Parental alienation turns into an issue of the preferred parent against the rebuffed parent. As a result, the children very much favor one parent over the other. Keep on reading to know more about parental alienation definition.

Parental Alienation Definition – What is That?

What is alienation? Parental alienation is a strategy in which one parent purposely expresses unjustified animosity about the other parent to the child. The goal of this method is to sever the child’s bond with the other parent and turn the child’s feelings against that parent.

Parental alienation takes place when one parent deliberately attempts to distance a child from the other by instilling fear or anger in the youngster towards their separated parent, which further weakens an already fragile bond.

The main weapons parents utilize to isolate their children against the other can include the following (check out carefully what forms parental alienation definition):

What Signs Are Considered Parental Alienation?

You can check out some actions of parental alienation below to know more about parental alienation definition:

• Badmouthing.

Unfortunately, some parents will criticize the other parent to their child or convince them that they are unworthy of love. This is a heartbreaking and damaging form of parental alienation.

• Restricting the Child’s Contact.

Some of the more common examples of parental alienation include arriving late for visitation time, leaving with the child early without warning, fabricating stories to keep them from spending quality time with their other parent, refusing communication between parent and child or constantly calling when they’re together.

• Making the Child Snub the Other Parent.

This entails making the child feel guilty for loving their other parent and pitting them against one another. The child may be pressured to choose between their parents, and the estranged parent may involve them in discussions about their marriage or divorce, which are unsuitable themes for a minor.

• Damaging the Relationship of the Child with the Other Parent.

Parental alienation is an all-too-real situation in which one parent attempts to impede their child’s bond with the other, custodial parent. Whether it be by prying for information regarding time spent together or expecting children to act as spies, this behavior can take on several damaging forms.

The alienating parent may also try to get the child to call the other parent by their first name rather than ‘mom’ or ‘dad,’ or change the spelling of their own last name so that it doesn’t include the surname of the other parent.

• Challenging the Role of the Other Parent in the Child’s Life.

Excluding a parent from their child’s life can take many forms, including withholding information about the child’s schooling or health care from the other guardian, not disclosing either parent’s contact information to those in charge of the child’s education or extra-curricular activities, and having a stepparent act as if they are biologically related when addressing school matters.

Furthermore, an estranged parent may be excluded from important events in their children’s lives, such as birthday celebrations, graduation ceremonies, and college/university level events such as plays and concerts.

What Are the Damages of Children from Parental Alienation?

Every child deserves the right to form an intense emotional bond with both of their parents. Tragically, those who are separated from one parent (unless in cases of abuse) are often prone to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other specific characteristics associated with mental harm caused by parental alienation. Some signs that may signal parental alienation include:

• Anger. Parental alienation is most commonly identified by the intense resentment a child develops towards one parent. This often occurs when children are exposed to their favored parent’s criticisms and accusations of the other, leaving them without vital skills for dealing with conflict and managing emotions that can lead to frustration and exaggerated rage.
• Lack of Confidence. When kids perceive one of their parents as “bad,” they tend to begin viewing themselves in a negative light, too. This can result in an extreme lack of self-esteem and may even evoke destructive behaviors.
• Inability to Control Impulses. If a child feels isolated, they might not have the self-awareness to make judgments about situations before taking action. This can lead them to lash out in anger or do impulsive things like fight, throw things, or make rash decisions.
• Separation Concern. If one parent trains their child to dislike the other, the child will become anxious about being separated from the parent they know and love. This anxiety is not only present when around the alienating parent, but also during activities like sleepovers or summer camp.
• Fears. A few estranged children become afraid of things that would remove them from the parent, for example going to school. They sometimes feign physical illness as an excuse to stay home—and keep the parent at home with them.
• Depression and Thoughts of Suicide. Parental alienation elevates the agony of the divorce for the children, resulting in depression and even suicide.
• Sleep Disorders. Children might find it hard to sleep, or even have nightmares, as they both fear the hazards the besieged parent presents to them and experience remorse over their part in the alienation.
• Eating Disorders. In their endeavors to get control over their lives and the actions of their parents, many isolated children develop eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and obesity.
• School Problems. Isolated children are more inclined to have more difficulties in school, from an incapacity to focus to trouble remembering their lessons. They might also frequently get in trouble for disobeying.
• Abusing Drugs and Alcohol. Even at extremely young ages, isolated children are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, which frequently results in other criminal activities.

Parental Alienation Syndrome

After parental alienation definition and signs, how to know is it a syndrome of parental alienation? If a parent is constantly trying to cause their child to resent the other parent, it can result in serious psychological damage.

Most children will eventually cave and take sides due to coercion from the isolating parent. This is known as Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) and includes specific detrimental actions such as:

1. Crusade of Defamation. The youngster becomes fascinated with the shortcomings of the besieged parent and begins to despise that parent after choosing a side. This first phase occurs so rapidly that parents are frequently taken aback by their child’s transformation. Regarded as acceptable and rational, disliking a parent who has harmed the child is not evidence of PAS.

2. Ridiculous, Feeble, or Idle Reasons for Defamation. Complaints is included in parental alienation definition. It made by a child during a defamation campaign are frequently unfounded or insufficiently severe to cause a child to dislike a parent. For instance, a child may cite the parent’s refusal to allow him or her to consume spicy foods or watch specific films as the primary reason for his or her dislike of the parent.

3. Lack of Uncertainty. Normal child growth entails a degree of doubt regarding both parents. No parent is perfect, and children are inclined to be dissatisfied and hostile toward the constraints they impose. A youngster with PAS does not express uncertainty regarding the isolated parent. Alternately, the youngster immediately and unconsciously pushes himself or herself into supporting that parent, with no ambivalence about rejecting or disliking the parent who is being persecuted. A child with PAS considers one parent as entirely good and the other as entirely evil.

4. Free Thinker and Decision-Maker. When questioned about his or her exaggerated opinions of the besieged parent and the actions of the isolating parent, a kid with PAS typically asserts that his or her feelings are entirely his or her own. The isolating parent is quick to defend the child’s freedom to choose whether or not to see that parent.

5. Remorseless. Children affected by parental alienation syndrome (PAS) usually feel that their parent does not deserve to be in contact with them. They disregard the efforts and presents from their estranged parent, feeling justified in this behavior due to thinking of the alienated parent as a terrible person. These children commonly exhibit narcissistic tendencies while being manipulative and cruel towards both parents. As such, they aim to take advantage of what they can get out of an already strained relationship without any regard for its consequences or repercussions.

6. Isolating Parent’s Total Support. PAS children are unwilling to take a neutral stance on parental disputes. These youngsters subconsciously back the isolating parent and refuse to listen to the persecuted parent’s perspective.

7. Used Scenarios. When communicating with the isolating parent or court officials, PAS children frequently repeat phrases and ideas directly from the parent’s speech. The younger the child, the greater the likelihood that his or her speech contains words and concepts that he or she cannot even comprehend. For instance, a child may assert that he or she dislikes his or her father because he or she is a philanderer, despite being unaware of the term.

8. Resentment Toward the Extended Family of the Besieged Parent. When a child is suffering from PAS, they may extend their animosity towards the targeted parent to that person’s extended family. Complaints about members of this group including grandparents, uncles and aunts are often heard, while refusal to visit them can become commonplace. As these children enter adulthood, it is not uncommon for them to miss significant family events like weddings or funerals as well as birthdays and anniversaries.

Ways to Prove Parental Alienation

As parental alienation inflicts permanent damage to the child, family courts view it as a major transgression. A parent who deliberately separates their children from the other parent is likely going to lose custody of them and could possibly only be allowed supervised visits.

A parent who is being targeted for parental alienation has both the right and duty to notify the court, although he or she must first establish that they are alienation victims. This includes the following:

• Keep a Journal. Keep track of any problems that come up when communicating with the parent who has custody or parental alienation definition, as well as anything the children say that came directly from the other parent. Make note of dates and times when visitation plans fall through or there are other issues, like if the other parent cancels last minute or doesn’t show up at all.
• Write Down the Actions of the Children. It is imperative to record atypical conduct and remarks made by the children, which can show the matter of alienation.
• Write Down Special Requests or Alterations Requested by the Isolating Parent. Isolating parents frequently request alterations to be made to visitation schedules, in addition to occasions with the children, then hold the besieged parent accountable.
• Heed the Warning Signs.Notice the indicators that a child is experiencing PAS. Record suspicious behaviors, as well as dates, times, and specific words or acts. Notice whether the child has secrets with the isolating parent. It is common for such parents to advise the child to keep something completely innocent, like going to a baseball game, or secret to create a bond with the child.
• Keep Unrestricted Communications with the Child. It is imperative for both parents to keep unrestricted communication with their children, clarifying that both parents love them. This does not imply questioning the children about the other parent, but to engage in a discussion on various subjects.
• Follow and Implement Every Custody Order. While this consists of actual visitation dates and times, it also consists of revealing details about the children. For example, custody orders usually demand both parents permit the other access to the child’s school records and activities, in addition to medical records and appointments. Refusing a parent access to such things is viewed as contradicting the child’s best interest.

With the evidence in regards to parental alienation definition collected, the besieged parent can ask of the court to analyze or alter child custody orders. In certain cases, a guardian ad litem may be appointed by the court to act in favor of what is best for their kid’s welfare instead of representing either parent.

FAQs of Parental Alienation

What effects can parental alienation have on a child?

Parental alienation can have a wide range of effects on the child, including emotional and behavioral issues, difficulty forming relationships, guilt, confusion over loyalty to both parents, withdrawal from friends or family, and even depression.

What is the difference between the parental alienation definition and the estrangement definition?

Parental alienation indicates an active attempt to undermine or sabotage the relationship between a parent and their child. Estrangement implies that there is an emotional distance between a parent and their child, with no active attempt to drive them apart.

What do judges consider about parental alienation?

Concerning parental alienation definition, judges usually consider the parental behavior of each parent, the age and understanding level of the child, and whether or not parental actions are actually in the best interest of the child. In court situations, a judge can assign an expert to evaluate any evidence presented about parental alienation. The court will take into consideration what is best for the child when making any decisions.