What should be Parental Alienation called? LINK

An early advocate of PA was Richard Gardner who proposed it as a ‘syndrome’ for inclusion in the American ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.’ In brief, it was excluded. Quite correctly. It does not meet the tests for a mental health ‘syndrome’. Nor is the DSM a relevant authority for our purposes.  Its use relates to what can be used to claim for under US medical insurance policies.  

This event, and others, are used to claim that PA ‘does not exist’ or ‘is not recognised’. See, for example, the related item here about the United Nations Human Rights Council, or the Manchester University Report.   

We should follow CAFCASS example and refer to ‘alienating behaviours.’ Attitudes from a parent with control that might cause the children to say they do not want a relationship with the other parent. Even that, however, is open to criticism. It does not have to be deliberate or even conscious.  

Children normally love and trust their parents. What would parenting be without it? The children may simply pick up what will please the parent with whom they live or spend most their time with. Who may be – and one hopes – a loved and loving parent in other ways.  

What do you think?

Send us feedback!