When a parent with the majority of the custodial obligations alienates a child from the other parent, it is commonly referred to as “parental alienation.” Unfortunately, men (and their children) are often the victims of parental alienation.
When a parent attempts to undermine or interfere with a child’s relationship with the other parent, it can cause significant problems. In many cases, it is an indication that the custodial parent is not separating the marital conflicts from the best interests of the child. Or, said another way, parental alienation occurs because one parent is putting her own needs above those of the child. Sadly, this can leave the child feeling confused and hurt. Even worse, it can cause serious damage in the relationship between the child and other parent.
According to the Parental Alienation Awareness Organization (PAAO) website, parental alienation is a form of “hostile aggressive parenting.” PAAO stresses that parental alienation can be caused by verbal and non-verbal actions.
“The destructive actions by an alienating parent or other third person (like another family member, or even a well-meaning mental health care worker) can become abusive to the child – as the alienating behaviors are disturbing, confusing and often frightening to the child and can rob the child of their sense of security and safety leading to maladaptive or psychiatric reactions,” reported PAAO.
Because our law firm focuses our practice on representing men, we are experienced in dealing with custody cases and heated disputes that include parental alienation or hostile aggressive parenting issues. It is important that you don’t ignore this type of behavior and seek our assistance as quickly as possible so we can take steps to prevent the alienation. You and your wife may feel animosity towards each other, but it is still both of your duties to protect your children. Contact the knowledgeable attorneys at the Men’s Divorce Law Firm. Our office is located in Orlando, Florida, but we proudly serve husbands and fathers across the State.
