The term \u201cParental Alienation\u201d is commonly used in the family courts to describe the scenario where one parent, has a hostile attitude towards the other parent which results in the child also having negative views towards that parent, very often leading to a frustration of contact arrangements. It involves negative behaviour being displayed by one parent, often with the aim of undermining the child\u2019s relationship with the other parent. The term \u2018Parental Alienation Syndrome\u2019 was formulated in the US, in the 1980\u2019s by a Child Psychiatrist who believed that some children who rejected their fathers had been indoctrinated by their mothers. The concept has since developed and has now become more reflective of resident status as opposed to gender.<\/p>\n
Some of the dangers of this type of behaviour include the invasive and intrusive effect on the wellbeing of the child. There is also the added difficulty of differentiating between parental alienation and justified estrangement \u2013 where the child\u2019s rejection of a relationship with the non-resident parent is fuelled by their own experiences of abuse or abandonment. Also, when a child is regarded as being the subject of parental alienation and\/or being significantly influenced by one parent over the other, it becomes difficult to fully trust what that child might be saying to the Court \u2013 which is of course a significant problem within family law proceedings where the child\u2019s wishes and feelings are also given weight in the making of decisions concerning that child.<\/p>\n
This is not to say that there are never any legitimate reasons for restricting a child\u2019s relationship and\/or contact with a non-resident parent. In some cases, alienation can be considered to be inevitable, for example where there has been a history of domestic abuse.<\/p>\n