What is parental alienation?

Parental alienation occurs when a child, caught at the heart of a separation or divorce conflict, rejects one of their parents in an intense and unjustified way. According to Richard Gardner, who popularised the term in 1985 under the name “parental alienation syndrome” (PAS), this phenomenon is said to be caused by the psychological manipulation of the so-called “alienating” parent, who seeks to isolate the child from the other parent.

The concept quickly gained ground in debates around child custody, particularly in situations where tensions between former partners become destructive for the parent-child relationship.

A phenomenon of mental manipulation?

The child, in this context, becomes a psychological hostage, the victim of a manipulation in which they are encouraged to adopt a distorted, negative view of the other parent. As psychologist Glenn F. Cartwright points out, it is almost a “symbolic murder” of the alienated parent in the child’s life. This dynamic has profound repercussions on children’s psychological well-being; they may also suffer from attachment disorders, anxiety, or even long-term depression.

The scientific and legal debate

While parental alienation syndrome may seem to explain certain behaviours observed in children, it remains highly contested scientifically.

Some countries, such as Brazil or Italy, have officially integrated parental alienation into their legislation, while others, such as France or Canada, prefer to avoid its systematic use. One of the main criticisms is that the concept could divert attention from children’s real needs, by reducing parental conflicts to a simple matter of malicious manipulation.

Towards a new terminology?

To address the controversies surrounding PAS, some experts suggest using less polemical terms, such as “parental rejection dynamics” or “parental rejection behaviour”. These terms make it possible to better describe the reality of the behaviours observed, without stigmatising either the child or the parent, and to refocus the debate on relationships and the child’s well-being.

Why this video?

I made this video to open the debate on a subject which, in my view, remains deeply complex and nuanced. While parental alienation is often invoked in custody disputes, it is essential to understand its mechanisms, its limits and the criticisms that surround it. The aim is to open a space for discussion and exchange about a complex phenomenon: the video — in French — can be watched below.