Parental Alienation - What Is It?
Parental alienation is a term to describe behaviours where one parent expresses an outgoing pattern of negative attitudes and communication about the other parent that have the potential or intention to undermine or even destroy the child’s relationship with their other parent. It refers to a situation where one parent manipulates a child to reject or show hostility towards the other parent.
This can occur during or after a divorce or separation, often as a result of a conflict between the parents. The alienating parent may use vicious tactics, such as badmouthing the other parent, limiting contact, or creating a sense of fear or loyalty in the child. This behaviour can have serious emotional and psychological effects on the child and can damage the parent-child relationship. It is a complex issue that often requires intervention from mental health professionals or legal authorities to address.
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