Parental Alienation Syndrome

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Parental Alienation Syndrome is defined as a syndrome where one parent (usually the custodial parent) alienates the child or children from the other parent. A child psychiatrist organized this syndrome by the name of Richard Gardner. The fact that Parental Alienation Syndrome is used in custody litigations makes it a very controversial issue. The syndrome tends to target one parent and favor the other, sometimes leaving the child in compromising situations. Also, Gardner's 'syndrome' lacks scientific background and is seen as nothing more than a theory by many other professionals. Parental Alienation Syndrome should not be considered in court custody battles, as it is nothing more than an inadequate theory.

Parental Alienation Syndrome has begun to show up in courtrooms across the nation more in custody battles. This syndrome, devised by Richard Gardner, makes it seem that one parent is alienating the child from the other parent. PAS is often focused on the mother, claiming that she may say or do things to the child to favor her and belittle the father. Gardner states that the mother, "programs the child to hate the other parent". If a child shows any negativity towards one parent during a custody battle, PAS is often brought into the matter, blaming the other parent for the child's negative behavior. PAS does nothing more than mask the real problems in court cases while dwelling on something excessive.

Why is PAS an unjust approach to use in a courtroom? PAS can often blind the court officials and a child can mistakenly be put into an unsafe living situation. Many courts are uneducated of the fact the Parental Alienation Syndrome is not actually a syndrome but just a theory. The judges and the jury, many...

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...nation Syndrome should not be used in courtroom custody battles. Especially because of the fact that there is no scientific background or proof of Gardner's theory, it should not be a liable resource in the courts. Many children are put into situations of abuse due to Gardner's PAS. The courts are even blinded by his theory due to the lack of knowledge. Richard Gardner is a sick man who is living with the ideals of people fifty years ago, yet, his theory still being used in courtrooms today? Why is this? Why would anyone want to base a child's life off of a simple theory that came from one man? The use Parental Alienation Syndrome needs to be halted in America's courtrooms. It is one of those things that can make or break a child's life. More research should definitely be conducted to prove that Gardner's 'syndrome' is nothing but a single man's theories.

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