Thanks to Alec Baldwin and Kim Bassinge, Parental Alienation(PAS) has burst to the forefront of divorce wars. Rumor has it that Baldwin may even bring is acting career to an end, in order to promote awareness of the syndrome.
The question, which remains in the mind of the casual observer is this: Is Parental Alienation Syndrome a diagnosable mental disease or, is it junk science, created by divorce attorneys who are custody – case underdogs? Even the experts cannot seem to agree.
What is Parental Alienation Syndrome or Hostile Aggressive Parenting?
Parental Alienation Syndrome occurs when angry or frustrated (usually separated or divorced) parent begins to use an innocent child to either seek revenge or manipulate the “enemy” parent.
According to many, using a child to seek revenge or to manipulate the actions of the other parent constitutes child abuse in the form of PAS or HAP. As in other forms of child abuse, the theory is that children put in the cross-hairs of such parental actions will sometimes carry the scars far past childhood.: ..."Emotionally abused children affect society's structure.They risk becoming mentally ill adults who hate, fear, lie and engage in anti-social behavior."
Recently, a Suite blog elicited the following comments in part from Robin Denison:
“Behaviors such as speaking negatively about a loving parent, whether to, or in front of a child, is very painful for the child, especially as that child is half of the negatively perceived parent. Other alienating behaviors can include:
- Interfering with communication and visitation, moving and leaving no contact information, acting angry or sad if the child has contact or mentions the other parent, and discussing inappropriate information with a child, such as details of the marriage or divorce.
- Children can react to these behaviors by showing unjustified fear or anger toward a parent, resulting in disrespect or low self esteem, trust issues, and difficulties in their own relationships, in those children who were exposed to the above behaviors in childhood."
A newly released book, Adult children of Parental Alienation Syndrome-Breaking the Ties that Bind, by Dr. Amy Baker, has numerous interviews by adults, who were exposed to alienating behaviors as children. In all of these cases, these people were adversely affected in childhood, and now, in adulthood, by having a parent removed from their lives.
Parental Alienation and Hostile Aggressive Parenting are behaviors done by a third party, for no other reason than to interfere with a loving parent and child. They are harmful for children, and can last well into adulthood. Many mental health professionals included them as emotional abuse, and, to date, the governors governors of 9 states have issued recognitions or proclamations declaring April 25th as Parental Alienation Awareness Day.”
How do Professionals Identify PAS and HAP?
Identification of PAS, according to the Florida Bar Journal, (Vol 73, No.3, March 1999, pp44-48), by *J. Michael Bone and **Michael R. Walsh, include the following criteria:
- Access and Contact Blocking (Blocking access and/or contact with “target” parent.)
- Unfounded abuse allegations against the absent parent (especially sexual abuse allegations)
- Deterioration in relationship since separation.
- Intense reaction by children whereas the custodial parent makes the child(ren) through “loyalty” tests in order for them to stay in his/her home.
In addition, the Florida Bar Article states PAS can only be diagnosed when all four criteria are present..." The article further asserts PAS can still be present event though children are not successfully alienated.
*J. Michael Bone, PhC., is a sole practice psychotherapist and certified family law mediator in Maitland. He concentrates in divorce and post-divorce issues involving minor children, and has a special interest in PAS. He has served as an expert witness on these and related topics and has been appointed by the court to make recommendations involving PAS and families.
**Michael R. Walsh is a sole practitioner in Orlando. He is a board certified marital and family law lawyer, certified mediator, arbitrator, and a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. For more than 20 years, he has been a frequent lecturer and author for the Florida Bar.
Connie Newbauer - Connie Newbauer is a journalist with a background in education and psychology. For the past 30 years, she has been a freelance writer, ...
