Raising Awareness of Parental Alienation and Rebuilding Broken Bonds
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Children are prone to Emotional Abuse in High-Conflict Divorces
Visualize a child caught in the middle, forced to choose between two parents.
Now, imagine the heartache when this child suddenly begins to despise or fear a parent they once loved.
This phenomenon, often called "parental alienation," is also known as "parental gatekeeping," "psychological manipulation," or "pathogenic parenting”. It is a dynamic that occurs when one parent influences a child to turn against the other parent, resulting in unwarranted fear, hostility, and rejection. Regardless of the terminology, the outcome is the same: parental alienation leads to anxiety, grief, physical symptoms, low self -worth, insecure attachment styles and severe long-term psychological effects.
There are countless children in Hong Kong, Asia and across the globe who are affected by this phenomenon.
The child’s rejection of the other parent may appear self-driven, making it challenging to recognise this unique form of abuse without specialised training.
The impact worsens with time, leading to lifelong consequences.
Parental Alienation is Silent Abuse and Invisible Trauma.
Parental alienation primarily affects the emotional and psychological well-being of the child. Unlike physical abuse, there are no visible scars or bruises, making it harder for outsiders to detect. The trauma is internalized, manifesting in feelings of guilt, confusion, and loyalty conflicts. The emotional and psychological scars it leaves on children must be taken seriously. It must be recognized as a form of emotional abuse.
Our Mission is Twofold
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Educate parents, children, policymakers, the judiciary and mental health workers about the harmful effects of Parental Alienation
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Advocate for the SWIFT and EFFECTIVE restoration of broken parent-child relationships to protect children from lifelong damage
The Devastating Impact on Children.
Parental alienation and similar behaviors can have profound and lasting effects on children, as documented by renowned experts worldwide. Children subjected to such parenting may experience:
Emotional Distress and Anxiety
Amy J.L. Baker, PhD: In "Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome," Baker highlights the significant emotional distress and anxiety children face due to manipulation and rejection of the alienated parent.
About Parental Alienation | My Site
Full article: To Turn a Child Against a Parent Is To Turn a Child Against Himself: The Direct and Indirect Effects of Exposure to Parental Alienation Strategies on Self-Esteem and Well-Being
Depression
Richard A. Warshak, PhD: In "Divorce Poison," Warshak discusses how children affected by parental alienation often experience deep sadness and depression, struggling with the loss of a parental relationship.
Dr. Richard Warshak
Divorce Poison | Classic Guide to Overcoming Parental Alienation | Dr. Richard Warshak
Low Self-Esteem
Dr. Jennifer J. Harman: parental alienation can diminish a child's self-worth as they internalize negative messages about the alienated parent.
Parentel Alienation Is Child Abuse (With Dr Jennifer Harman) - Find My Parent
Behavioral Problems
Craig A. Childress, PsyD: In "Foundations," Childress points out that children subjected to parental alienation frequently exhibit behavioral issues, including defiance, aggression, and difficulties in school.
An Attachment-Based Model of Parental Alienation: Foundations
Trust Issues and Relationship Difficulties
William Bernet, MD: In "Parental Alienation, DSM-5, and ICD-11," Bernet explains how alienated children often struggle to form and maintain trusting relationships later in life due to betrayal by a trusted parent.
Family Access-Fighting for Children's Rights
A Silent Epidemic: Parental Alienation in a Child is on Par With Physical and Sexual Abuse
Identity and Attachment Disorders
Douglas Darnall, PhD: In "Divorce Casualties," Darnall emphasizes that alienation can severely impact a child's developing identity and attachment styles, leading to long-term psychological issues.
Divorce casualties : protecting your children from parental alienation : Darnall, Douglas : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Somatic Symptoms
Psychiatric: In various studies on stress-related disorders, children under severe stress, such as those experiencing parental alienation, often suffer from somatic symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and chronic pain without a clear medical cause
Children of High-Conflict Divorce Face Many Challenges
Substance Abuse
Joseph Goldberg, MD: In his research, Goldberg notes that children who have experienced parental alienation are at higher risk of turning to substance abuse as a coping mechanism for unresolved emotional pain.
Joseph Goldberg, Founder | Parental Alienation Education
Sleep Disorders
Ludwig F. Lowenstein, PhD: In his writings on the psychological impact of divorce, Lowenstein points out that sleep disturbances are common in children experiencing parental alienation, as their heightened stress and anxiety interfere with normal sleep patterns.
Implacable Hostility Leading to Parental Alienation
Why Is Parental Alienation so Difficult to Spot?
Subtle Manipulation
Amy J.L. Baker, PhD: In "Adult Children of Parental Alienation Syndrome," Baker explains that the tactics used by the alienating parent are often subtle and insidious, making it hard for outsiders to detect manipulation.
Children's Behavior
Richard A. Warshak, PhD: Warshak notes in "Divorce Poison" that children affected by parental alienation may exhibit behaviors that seem like genuine preferences or natural reactions, masking the underlying alienation.
Children's Resistance to Disclosure
Craig A. Childress, PsyD: In "Foundations," Childress explains that children might be unwilling or unable to disclose the alienation because of fear of repercussions from the alienating parent or confusion about their own feelings.
Aligning with the Alienating Parent
M. Scott Peck, MD: Peck's work in "People of the Lie" describes how children may align with the alienating parent as a survival mechanism, presenting a united front that complicates detection.
Lack of Awareness and Training
William Bernet, MD: In "Parental Alienation, DSM-5, and ICD-11," Bernet discusses the general lack of awareness and training among legal and mental health professionals about the nuances of parental alienation, leading to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.
Legal System Challenges
Douglas Darnall, PhD: Darnall points out in "Divorce Casualties" that the adversarial nature of the legal system often exacerbates conflict, and courts may struggle to recognize and appropriately address the signs of alienation.
Healing Broken Bonds
We are dedicated to educating the public and policymakers about the harmful effects of detrimental parental behaviors.
Legislative changes are crucial to ensuring the swift resolution of high child disputes. While the Hong Kong Family Court is making strides, it still faces a high number of cases, which means long waiting times. Delays only worsen the damage.
Further, comprehensive training for judges, social workers, and mental health professionals on the nuances of parental alienation is essential. Such training will equip them to address these complex dynamics to take quick and decisive action.
Continuous rejection of a parent over a long period not only damages the child but also leads to a cycle of dysfunction and emotional trauma that can extend to future generations. The stablility and well-being of families is foundational to a healthy society. We hope to help Hong Kong do what is right for children and accelerate the rebuilding of broken parent-child relationships!
Stay tuned as we develop the website further and launch a support network for affected families.
We also have a big event in store for next year. This is just the start of our mission to rescue affected children. Watch this space!
Helpful Resources
“Your children want to be loved by both of you. They desperately need to be loved by both of you. And the reason for that is because your children are half you and half their mother... They must love all of themselves, and that means they really have to love both parents.”
