By Richard Luthmann
Parental alienation (PA) has been a hotly contested issue in family courts for decades. Critics label it a pseudo-concept, dismissing it as a tactic used by abusive parents to deflect from their own misconduct.
Dr. Jennifer Jill Harman and Edward Kruk have now added to the growing body of research, arguing that PA is not only real but constitutes a serious form of child abuse.
In their recently published paper, Countering Arguments Against Parental Alienation as A Form of Family Violence and Child Abuse, Harman and Kruk systematically debunk common criticisms of PA, using scientific evidence rather than rhetoric. Their paper comprehensively responds to those who deny PA’s legitimacy, offering hard data to back up their claims.
“Parental alienation is a mental condition in which a child unjustifiably rejects a relationship with one parent due to the influence of the other parent,” the authors explain.
Harman and Kruk stress that PA differs from situations where a child fears a parent due to actual abuse. In PA cases, the child’s rejection of the targeted parent is unjustified, driven by manipulation rather than actual harm.
Scientific Backing for Parental Alienation
The paper's key argument is simple: parental alienation is backed by robust scientific research. Harman and Kruk point to over 200 peer-reviewed studies published over the last two decades that validate PA as a real, measurable phenomenon.
“It's no longer tenable to dismiss PA as lacking in scientific status,” they write.
Their research shows PA causes significant psychological harm to children, leading to issues like depression, substance abuse, and long-term relationship difficulties.
“Alienating parents are often abusive,” they argue, “and false allegations of abuse are common in PA cases.”
Critics often point out that PA is not listed explicitly in the DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). However, Harman and Kruk counter this by pointing to the DSM-5-TR’s section on "parent-child relational problems," which they say encompasses parental alienation dynamics.
“The DSM’s current description includes situations where a child’s relationship with one parent is harmed by the other parent,” the paper notes, suggesting that PA is already recognized under broader terms.
Gender Neutrality of Parental Alienation
A common misconception about PA is that it’s a gendered issue, affecting fathers more than mothers. Harman and Kruk dismantle this notion, arguing that mothers and fathers can be alienators or targets of alienation.
“PA is not a gendered phenomenon,” they state plainly.
Gender differences in court outcomes, they argue, are likely due to custodial status rather than inherent gender bias.
This finding is crucial, as many critics of PA claim that it’s a tool primarily used by abusive fathers against mothers. Harman and Kruk’s data show otherwise, presenting PA as an issue that affects both sexes equally. The authors note that courts are not dismissing histories of family violence when PA is alleged, debunking claims that PA is used to cover up abuse.
Parental Alienation as a Form of Child Abuse
One of the most critical points of the paper is that PA should be recognized as a form of family violence and child abuse. The authors emphasize that the psychological damage caused by alienation can be just as severe as physical abuse.
“Alienating behaviors are a form of emotional child abuse,” the paper states, with long-term effects that can persist into adulthood.
Harman and Kruk recommend that courts consider PA as a serious form of abuse, warranting legal and therapeutic intervention. In severe cases, they suggest that temporary removal of the child from the alienating parent may be necessary.
“Research supports this approach when other interventions have failed,” they argue, calling for decisive action to protect the child’s relationship with both parents.
Rebutting the Critics
The paper systematically addresses the most common arguments against PA, using empirical data to refute each point.
For example, critics often claim that credible research does not support PA. Harman and Kruk respond by citing over 200 studies in 10 languages that explore PA from various angles, concluding that the scientific foundation for PA is “strong and robust.”
They also tackle the argument that PA is used primarily by fathers to gain custody of their children, arguing that this claim lacks evidence. Harman and Kruk present data showing that alienating parents—whether mothers or fathers—are more likely to be abusive than the alienated parent.
Perhaps most significantly, the paper challenges the notion that PA is not harmful to children. Harman and Kruk provide a wealth of evidence showing that children affected by PA suffer from severe psychological issues, including low self-esteem, depression, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships later in life.
The Need for Legal Reform
In addition to presenting scientific evidence, Harman and Kruk also recommend legal and social policy reforms. They argue for recognizing PA as a form of family violence and establishing shared parenting as the foundation of family law to prevent alienation.
They stress the importance of educating legal and mental health professionals to identify and respond to PA better.
“Children’s voices should be heard in custody cases,” they write, “but in PA situations, their preferences may be compromised.”
Harman and Kruk advocate for a balanced approach that protects the child’s relationships with both parents while safeguarding against abuse.
A Call for Action
Ultimately, Harman and Kruk’s paper argues that intentionally misrepresenting PA research causes significant harm to families, particularly the children caught in the middle of high-conflict custody battles.
They urge professionals to take PA seriously, treat it as a form of family violence, and implement evidence-based treatments to address the problem.
“Parental alienation is a serious form of child abuse,” the authors conclude. “It’s time to recognize it and act accordingly.”
Harman and Kruk’s work adds to a growing scientific consensus that PA is a legitimate, harmful, and widespread issue that deserves attention from courts, professionals, and policymakers.
Parental Alienation: The Scientific Case for a Silent Form of Child Abuse