Definitions of Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS)
The parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a disorder that arises primarily in the context of child-custody disputes. Its primary manifestation is the child’s campaign of denigration against a parent, a campaign that has no justification. It results from the combination of a programming (brainwashing) parent’s indoctrinations and the child’s own contributions to the vilification of the target parent. When true parental abuse and/or neglect is present the child’s animosity may be justified, and so the parental alienation syndrome explanation for the child’s hostility is not applicable.
- Richard A. Gardner, M.D.
Children who are subject to the parental alienation syndrome (I will call them PAS children) are very powerful in their views of the non-alienating parent. The views are almost exclusively negative, to the point that the parent is demonized and seen as evil…”PAS children feel empowered and are rewarded for attacking the other parent and feel no remorse or shame for doing so”. “PAS children have a knee jerk, reflexive response to support the alienator against the targeted parent, often on the basis of minimal evidence or justification. PAS children broaden their attacks to encompass members of the other parent’s extended family”. “PAS children are recruited by the alienating parent and alienated siblings to the alienating parent’s cause.” “With PAS children you cannot be sure who you are listening to – is it the child (or) is it the alienating parent?”
- Justice Perkins
A group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition.
- American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition (2000)
Parental Alienation Syndrome is a psychological disorder in a child which adversely impacts on a child’s relationship with a (target) parent in a number of clearly identifiable ways and the causes or symptoms of the disorder can be traced back primarily to the actions, behaviours and decision-making of certain persons who have/are interfering with the child’s relationship with the target parent.
- Understanding and effectively dealing with Hostile-Aggressive Parenting (HAP) Published by Family Conflict Resolution Services