I have seen a significant increase in the number of claims of parental alienation in Connecticut Family Courts. So now, more than ever, it is especially important to understand the fine distinction between true parental alienation and other reasons why a child refuses to visit a parent.
Parental alienation is a deliberate attempt by one parent to distance his or her child from the other parent. This results in the child’s rejection of a parent accompanied by a strong resistance or outright refusal to visit with the alienated parent.
A parent who lacks a relationship with their child will often accuse the other parent of alienation. However, there are other reasons why a child rejects a parent such as that parent’s very own behavior.
Estrangement occurs when parent behaves badly toward his or her child and in return, the child cuts off contact. Unlike parental alienation where there is no valid explanation for the rejection, with estrangement there is legitimate reason for the child’s rejection. Incidents of domestic violence, alcohol or drug abuse, emotional or physical abuse, neglectful parenting and mental illness are all examples of behavior which would cause estrangement.
Estrangement also comes about when a parent been absent for an extended period of time due to geographical constraints or the parent’s lack of interest.
Estranged parents pose a great challenge to the Family Court because they fail to view the situation from the child’s perspective. They don’t understand the role that their own behavior played in causing the failed relationship. They feel entitled to behave as they see fit.
It is really parental alienation or simply estrangement? This probably the question the judge will wrestle with.
Please contact me to if you are suspect parental alienation in Connecticut.