What is parental alienation syndrome?
Parental alienation syndrome occurs when the first parent convinces the child that the second parent has nothing to offer the child (or that the second parent is a bad parent or spouse), and the child comes to see the second parent in a uniformly negative light. The child insists on staying with the first parent and refuses to see the second, usually in order to show loyalty to the first parent. Courts disapprove of this type of behavior on the part of a parent and typically demonstrate such disapproval when making custody and visitation decisions.Copyright 2007 FindLaw, a Thomson BusinessDISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
While psychologists continually debate whether this is actually a “syndrome”, there is no doubt that “Parental Alienation”, the act of a parent trying consciously or even unconsciously to persuade a child to dislike a parent or to bond more with themselves than the other parent, occurs. Human nature often causes many parents to want their child to like them more than the other parent. This may, in the parent’s mind, validate that they are a good parent, and therefore, a good person.
