| Richard Gardner first coined the term | | | | Alienating parents can use many |
| "Parental Alienation Syndrome" in 1985, | | | | different tactics to damage their |
| but the basic concept had been | | | | child's view of his or her mother or |
| recognized and given other names by many | | | | father. They may ignore custody |
| psychologists and professionals who work | | | | arrangements and encourage the child to |
| with divorcing families. PAS is an all | | | | do the same. They may similarly dismiss |
| too common problem when couples are | | | | rules or guidelines set down by the |
| unhappy, in the process of divorcing, | | | | alienated parent. They may threaten the |
| during a remarriage and during other | | | | child with some kind of consequence for |
| times of family upheaval. | | | | contacting or spending time with their |
| PAS occurs when one parent consistently | | | | mother or father. They may even |
| insults, belittles and denigrates the | | | | encourage the child to insult, aggravate |
| other parent in front of the couple's | | | | or file false charges against the |
| children. It can also mean one parent | | | | alienated parent. |
| treating an ex-spouse's new partner or | | | | PAS is not officially recognized as a |
| spouse in the same way. The parent who | | | | mental disorder by the American |
| is doing the rumor-spreading and | | | | Psychological Association. But it has |
| insulting is known as the alienating | | | | been taken into account by judges during |
| parent. The parent who is receiving this | | | | child custody disputes. Other judges, |
| unfair and hurtful treatment is known as | | | | however, have declined to consider it, |
| the alienated parent. | | | | citing a lack of empirical evidence. |
| The goal of the alienating parent is to | | | | There is also a concern that claims of |
| destroy their child's relationship with | | | | PAS can be misused by abusive parents |
| the alienated parent. Over time, the | | | | whose exes are right to keep their |
| child's view of the alienated parent can | | | | children away from them. This creates a |
| be severely affected. They may | | | | complicated psychological and legal |
| disrespect or disregard their mother or | | | | controversy. Some people do use their |
| father, and may eventually come to | | | | children against their spouses or exes, |
| loathe them and want them out of the | | | | and this should not be overlooked during |
| child's life completely. PAS is | | | | divorce proceedings. However, judges |
| basically using one's child as a weapon | | | | should be careful not to be taken in by |
| to hurt one's current or former partner. | | | | false claims of abuse. |
| It is form of child abuse, and can have | | | | For more information about child custody |
| long-lasting psychological effects on | | | | disputes and family law, contact Boca |
| both the child and the person he or she | | | | Raton divorce attorneys Eric Klein and |
| has been alienated from. | | | | associates. |