Understanding The Signs Of Parental Alienation Syndrome In A Divorce
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Understanding The Signs Of Parental Alienation Syndrome In A Divorce
After a divorce, one or both parents may cause one or more of their children
to feel alienated from the other parent. This is called parental alienation syndrome.
It's simply inevitable that a divorce will have an impact on any children
involved in the marriage. However, the extent of that impact - whether
positive or negative - depends on the couple and situation.
In some instances, because of the hostility of the situation, the actions
of one parent or both and the irreconcilable differences of the couple,
the effect on the children can be detrimental.
A case in point involves a parent with parental alienation syndrome.
What Is Parental Alienation Syndrome?
Parental alienation syndrome, or PAS as it's known, is characterized
as a disorder in which one parent, during or after a divorce, alienates
the child from the other parent and extinguishes the positive relationship
the child previously had with the other parent.
Situations when the parent belittles, insults or just talks bad about the
other parent in front of the child so the child thinks upon the belittled
parent in a negative way, are common PAS examples. As a result, the child
then becomes emotionally distant from the other parent and, in some cases,
may no longer want to see the other parent.
The syndrome is known to take effect when he or she simply wishes to retaliate
for any number of reasons against the other parent. It may also happen
as a result of issues that have laid dormant for years and not addressed.
Skeptics And Believers
Some experts in the family law arena, however, dismiss PAS as typical activity
that happens during any divorce, particularly divorces involving high
conflict or stress situations. Further, research on the syndrome has been
questioned and criticized and PAS has yet to be recognized as a real disorder
by the medical community.
However, others disagree and say that PAS is very real. Believers argue
that when a child is deliberately estranged from the other parent, there
is PAS and it affects the emotional state of the child. According to research
from a study conducted by the American Bar Association, PAS in varying
degrees happens in approximately 60 percent of divorces in the United States.
Additionally, believers say that some family law courts consider PAS important
enough to use as a factor in child custody determinations.
Mitigating The Effects Of Divorce On Children
Regardless of whether PAS is real or not, it's likely children of a
divorce will be affected in some way.
If you are experiencing a divorce and recognize that there may be signs
of PAS or other high conflict instances, speaking with a knowledgeable
attorney or therapist to mitigate the problems and alleviate the stresses
involved as much as possible is advised.
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For a consultation with an Orange County attorney at the Burch Shepard Family Law Group, call (949) 565-4158 or contact us online.
Community Resources:
A variety of nonprofit social services agencies provide counseling services to divorcing families in the areas of domestic violence, marriage, family and children, and drug and alcohol abuse. Legal assistance is also available. For a list of these community resources, please contact Family Court Services at 714-935-6550.
Books To Help Divorcing Parents And Their Children:
My Mom and Dad Are Getting a Divorce by Florence Bienenfeld
Mom's House, Dad's House by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D.
Co-Parenting by Miriam Galper
When Living Hurts by Gordon Sol
Megan's Book of Divorce: A Kid's Book for Adults by Eric Jong
Child Custody: Building Agreements That Work by Mimi E. Lyster
The Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals by Richard A. Gardner, M.D.
