Parental Alienation
Parental AlienationFamily Originated Lateral Oppression
Parental Alienation DefinedParental alienationis the process,
and the result, of the psychological manipulation of a child into
showing unwarranted fear, disrespect or hostility towards a parent
and/or other family members.It is a distinctive and widespread form
of psychological abuse and family violence towards both the child
and the rejected family membersthat occurs almost exclusively in
association with family separation or divorce (particularly where
legal action is involved)
Documentary by Kristine Ashcroft for Texas Wesleyan
University
Documentary ReviewParental Alienation is Child AbuseParents,
Social Workers, Family Mediators, Judges, Lawyers, Child
TherapistLong term emotional effectsPoor self-esteemSubstance
abuseEventual loss of alienated parentProblems with social
connectionsYour anger/resentment is hurting your childPA is
unrecognized and needs awareness What is the message this media is
sending? Who is the target audience? Is it effective (why/why
not)?What does this message say about/to victims? What does this
message say about/to perpetrators? What does this message say
about/to bystanders and/or the general population?
Possible Theoretical Explanations for Abusive Behaviour and
Methodology of PA Intimate Personal Violence in Canada pg. 65
-67Family Relationship Factors specifically a lack of parenting
knowledge and child development.Expectations about childs behaviour
are not developmentally appropriate. Locus of Control Abusive
parents seem to have a high external locus of controlSelf-esteem, a
relationship between self-esteem and abuse exists.Emotional Abuse
Child pg. 89Rejecting/Isolation/Coercing by intimidationParental
Alienation Gradient: Strategies for a SyndromeFailure to give
information about the childrenRewarding disrespectful behaviors in
the child (of rejection toward the RP)Insulting or belittling the
RP toward the childrenMaking decisions without consulting the
RPPreventing visits and Interrogating the child after visits to the
RPInterfering in the childs symbolic contact with the RPHindering
telephone contactSeeking caregivers for the child alternative to
the RPConfusion and Controversy in Parental AlienationParties
engaged in PAS may be suffering from psychiatric disorders such as
ParanoidNarcissisticBorderline personality disorder.Disagreements
concerning the rights and experiences of parents within divorce
proceedings frequently arouse deep emotions. Such emotions are
often heightened by gender politics. In a number of countries (the
United Kingdom being a good example), conflict in this field has
become particularly fierce in recent years. Positions can easily
become polarised and generalisations abound.
Related Social Work Theories Used to Identify and Explain
Behaviour
Systems Theory:According to this theory, families, couples, and
organization members are directly involved in resolving a problem
even if it is an individual issueSocial Learning Theory: Based on
Albert Banduras idea that learning occurs through observation and
imitation.
WORKING WITH ALIENATED CHILDREN AND THEIR TARGETED
PARENTS:Mental health professionals remain in the trenches where
they have to differentiate false accusations from legitimate ones
and deal with the confused realities of these children and their
parentsRecognizing Parental AlienationIt is vital to acknowledge
the alienated parents pain and loss without blaming them for the
difficult situation in which they find themselvesDetermine if there
are ways to improve parenting skills and parent-child communication
Parent Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT) uses in vivo coaching to
correct and shape parent communications Working with the parent in
a nonjudgmental strengths-based manner can address any vulnerable
areas and help to repair the relationshipEnhance trust between the
child and parent and help to remove doubts and fears within the
child about the parents ability to parent.Tasks of treatment for
targeted parents include learning to manage the grief, loss, rage,
and shame of being a targeted parent; learning to manage the
constant frustration and struggle involved in typically chronic
legal battles and confrontations; and finding some peace and
happiness within such a painful situation.
Local Resources
Northumberland Community Counselling
Centrehttp://www.northumberlandccc.com/services/Canadian Equal
Parenting
CouncilHttp://canadianepc.org/action/fighting-parental-alienation/Canadian
Childrens Rights CouncilParental Alienation Awareness Day is April
25thParental Alienation Awareness
Organizationhttp://www.paawareness.org/
References Bake, Anastasia Intimate Personal Violence in Canada
Edition 01 2013 Pearson TorontoClarkson, H., & Clarkson, D.
(2007). Confusion and Controversy in Parental Alienation. Journal
Of Social Welfare & Family Law, 29(3/4), 265-275.
doi:10.1080/09649060701752273https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_alienationhttps://socialwork.simmons.edu/theories-used-social-work-practice/http://www.annalsofpsychotherapy.com/articles/summer08.php?topic=article7http://www.slideshare.net/marysuemakin/erik-erikson-stages-of-developmenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey7ud-ziPmMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCHUNssqYrYLpez,
T. J., Iglesias, V. N., & Garca, P. F. (2014). Parental
Alienation Gradient: Strategies for a Syndrome. American Journal Of
Family Therapy, 42(3), 217-231.
doi:10.1080/01926187.2013.820116
