How Did Parental Alienation Become Normalised in Society?

Parental alienation is a serious issue where one parent influences a child's perception of the other parent, often leading to conflict or rejection.

In recent years, this disturbing trend has become increasingly common in many families.

Understanding the factors behind parental alienation can help us address it effectively.

This issue draws from outdated societal norms, traditional gender roles, welfare policies, and their profound effects on everyone involved.

Many elements contribute to the growing acceptance of parental alienation, and examining them reveals why it is so widespread today.

From persistent stereotypes about parenting to systems that favour one parent over another, these factors interact to create an environment ripe for misunderstanding and negativity.

If you are an alienated parent and need help with your situation then please join PAPA today.

At PAPA we have several free to use support spaces, as well as additional resources available to our Plus members, such as courses, PAPA AI and 1-2-1 help.

The Impact of Old-Fashioned Gender Roles

Traditional gender roles significantly shape how society views parenting.

Mothers are often seen as the primary caregivers, while fathers typically take on the provider role.

This division can become very problematic during divorce or separation, when emotions often run high.

These traditional views can lead society to overlook a father's abilities as a caretaker, making it easier to influence a child's opinion of the other parent.

For example, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre in 2020 found that 71% of adults believe mothers are generally more responsible for child-rearing than fathers.

By endorsing these stereotypes, society encourages behaviours leading to parental alienation.

Many children may grow up thinking it is normal for one parent to be excluded, which perpetuates confusion and emotional pain.

Welfare Systems and Support Mechanisms

The welfare system also plays a crucial role in supporting parental alienation.

In many cases, welfare policies tend to favour one parent, often the mother, under the assumption that she is the main caregiver.

While this support can be essential for single-parent households, it contributes to skewed views about parenting roles, potentially marginalising involved fathers.

For instance, studies show that among divorced or separated parents, about 80% of custodial arrangements grant primary custody to mothers.

This dynamic reinforces the notion that only one parent should have a central role in a child’s upbringing.

Such financial support can lead one parent to cut ties with the other, creating an atmosphere where parental alienation thrives.

The effects of these policies send a troubling message: fathers are less valuable in their children’s lives.

Over time, these perceptions can create a culture that accepts and even normalises alienation between children and one of their parents after a separation.

The Case for Equal Parenting

To counteract the harmful effects of current support structures, advocating for equal parenting rights is essential.

Equal parenting should be seen not only in legal terms but also as a shared societal value.

Both parents should be supported in their roles as caregivers.

Research consistently shows that children benefit when they maintain positive relationships with both parents.

A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that children who have regular contact with both mothers and fathers are less likely to struggle with emotional issues.

Equal parenting means equitable emotional, social, and financial support, which fosters healthier child development.

Promoting equal parenting would directly challenge the stereotypes contributing to parental alienation.

It would nurture a culture where all parents are viewed as equal partners in their children’s lives, rather than allowing one to assume dominance or provide the majority of affection and stability.

The Need for Awareness Around Parental Alienation

Raising awareness of the harmful consequences of parental alienation is crucial.

Many may not realise how deep-rooted and damaging this issue can be for both the alienated parent and the child caught in conflict.

Long-term consequences of parental alienation can include emotional trauma, anxiety, and difficulties in future relationships.

Research indicates that children involved in parental alienation may experience a 50% increase in behavioural problems compared to their peers.

Those coerced into choosing sides can suffer lasting trauma that complicates their ability to form meaningful relationships as adults.

By acknowledging parental alienation as a significant issue needing societal attention, communities can support affected families more effectively.

Collaboration among schools, mental health professionals, and the legal system is vital to creating a framework that fully understands the implications of parental alienation.

The Road Ahead

The widespread issue of parental alienation stems from outdated gender roles, political policies, and a broader culture of misunderstanding.

As family structures evolve, it is essential to confront these stereotypes and push for equal parenting rights.

Heightened awareness of the issues associated with parental alienation can pave the way for healthier family dynamics and greater equality in parenting.

A collaborative effort involving the legal system, policymakers, and community organisations can effectively address the harmful norms sustaining parental alienation.

By tackling these systemic challenges directly, society can foster an environment where parental alienation is recognised as unacceptable, requiring intervention and thoughtful solutions.

This shift can help reshape family relationships for the better, supporting both parents and their children in developing healthier bonds.

In need of help or support?

If you are an alienated parent reading this article and feel you are in need of help and support then please make sure to join PAPA today by signing up here on our website.

This will give you access to our community support forum as well as our Resource Centre, which includes downloadable guides and on-demand courses to help through the process of being alienated and regaining contact with your children.

We also have our Facebook support group that you can join here.

Our Facebook support group has several dedicated chat rooms where you can get immediate support.

If you are a member of PAPA you can also send us a message here on the website and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible but please bear in mind, we have hundreds of messages weekly so it may take us a while to get back to you.

We are currently prioritising PAPA Plus members due to high demand.

Regardless of circumstance you are not alone and at PAPA we are here to support you.

Become a PAPA Ambassador

If you like our resources, articles and support networks and agree with what we stand for then why not get involved and help us push PAPA further by joining our Ambassador Program?

We would love for you to join us and help spread awareness for parental alienation and all of the dynamics involved so that we can continue to help parents and children towards a better future.

Our Ambassador Program allows you to grow your involvement with the cause by earning points on your membership.

To earn points we have created rewards for actions such as completing one of our courses, booking a case review, or ordering supply.

We will be adding new rewards and actions to our Ambassador Program as we continue to grow our awareness efforts.

We want our members to feel rewarded for their support as we continue to look for new ways to improve the lives of those impacted by parental alienation.

You can also become a PAPA Plus member, which will give you exclusive access to even more help and resources.

Each PAPA Plus membership makes a huge difference to the cause as it really helps us to improve our services and our awareness campaigns.

Proceeds from memberships and supply allow us to push the cause much further towards raising awareness and improving our services and resources so that we can continue to help more and more parents and children.

Thank you for reading and for your continued support of PAPA and our mission to end parental alienation.