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Unveiling the Core Causes of Parental Alienation
Parental alienation, also referred to as pathogenic parenting, is a process through which a child becomes estranged from a parent as the result of the psychological manipulation of another parent. The problem or root cause of parental alienation can be multifaceted, involving the behaviors of one parent to unduly influence the child against the other parent, often during or after a contentious divorce or separation.
The root causes of parental alienation can include:
- Psychological manipulation: One parent might engage in tactics designed to paint the other parent in a negative light, to the point where the child rejects the other parent. This can be done through verbal comments, behaviors, or suggestions that create a distorted perception of the targeted parent.
- Emotional influence: The alienating parent might display emotional distress about the presence or actions of the other parent, leading the child to adopt these feelings to align with the alienating parent.
- conflict and animosity: High levels of conflict and animosity between parents can create an environment where one parent consciously or unconsciously encourages the child to choose sides.
- Personality disorders: In some cases, a parent who exhibits signs of a personality disorder, such as extreme narcissism, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality, may be more prone to engaging in alienating behaviors (Forbes).
- Protective behaviors: Sometimes, what is labeled as parental alienation can stem from one parent trying to protect the child from a genuinely abusive or neglectful parent, although this would be a legitimate response and not considered pathogenic parenting.
When left unchecked, parental alienation can cause a long-term rupture in a child’s relationship with a parent and can take significant effort to resolve (Hardin Law Firm PLLC). It’s a complex issue that often requires the intervention of legal and psychological professionals to address and resolve.