PRESS RELEASE
Contact: G. Lawrence DeMarco, LLM
Email: ldemarco@menandboys.net
Phone: 1-215-901-1930
New Study Reveals Parental Alienation is a Common Form of Child Abuse, Debunking Activist Claims
August 20, 2024 – Parental alienation (PA), where one parent manipulates a child to turn against the other parent (1), is a widespread but poorly recognized form of child abuse that happens around the world. Certain anti-family activists have claimed that PA is nothing more than a tool used by abusive partners to disguise their abuse (2).
But a new study debunks this misconception. (3) The study reveals that an allegation that one parent has alienated the child against the other parent is not indicative of broader patterns of abuse.
This finding calls into question policies and practices that equate claims of PA with a history of family abuse. Treating these issues as the same is harmful to children. (4)
Some media outlets, including ProPublica (5), Forbes (6), and The Guardian (7), have contributed to public misunderstanding by publishing articles that incorrectly equate PA with family abuse.
In some countries, anti-family activists are currently pushing for laws that would even ban the use of PA as evidence in family court. This would make it harder for families dealing with PA to get the help they need. (8)(9)
The International Council for Men and Boys calls on the media to help educate the public on PA’s nuanced nature and focus on child well-being.
The ICMB also urges lawmakers to advocate for policies that recognize the complexity of PA with thorough, evidence-based assessments, rather than ideologically driven assumptions.
By taking these steps, we can work towards a more just and informed approach to handling parental alienation cases, ultimately protecting the well-being of children and families.
The International Council for Men and Boys is a non-governmental organization that is working to celebrate the contributions of men to society and to end the 12 sex disparities that affect men and boys around the world. Achieving #GenderEqualityForMen also will benefit women. https://www.menandboys.net/
Links:
(1) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/parental-alienation
(3) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijsw.12692
(5) https://www.propublica.org/article/both-parents-agree-child-is-being-harmed-who-will-courts-believe
(6) https://www.forbes.com/sites/naomicahn/2020/01/26/why-women-lose-custody/
(7) https://www.theguardian.com/profile/hannah-summers