Not every divorce is amicable, even if it appears to be on the surface. There are times when one spouse tries to “win” the child’s favor, and that is when parental alienation can occur.
Turning a child against the other parent is one way that a hostile spouse might try to secure child custody during a divorce case. This can have harmful effects on your child in the long run, so it is important to learn more about parental alienation and how to notice it before it becomes too late.
What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation is the act of turning a child against another parent or otherwise creating a rift between them. The alienating individual might attempt to manipulate the child’s opinion of the other parent or simply keep them physically distant. In any case, parental alienation is emotional abuse that can cause psychological and social harm to a child even as they grow into adulthood.
How can you put a stop to it?
It is important to first recognize the telltale signs of parental alienation. Alienation could be occurring if you notice any of the following behaviors from your child:
- Repeating criticisms made by the other parent
- Indifference toward you
- Lack of guilt or remorse
If you notice any of the indicators of parental alienation, remember that psychological abuse could be occurring. Presenting evidence of abuse to the family court will likely result in enforced separation of the child from the abusive parent.
Putting a stop to parental alienation is important not just for reaching your desired outcome in a child custody case, but also for your child’s well-being. If you suspect any form of abuse, it is necessary to take all necessary action to protect the health of your child.