#parentalalienationisreal

Parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is a controversial term that has been used to describe a phenomenon in which one parent attempts to turn a child against the other parent in the context of a divorce or separation. PAS was first proposed by psychiatrist Richard Gardner in the 1980s, and it has been the subject of much debate and criticism in the years since.

Proponents of PAS argue that it is a real and serious problem that can have long-term negative effects on the children involved, including difficulty forming healthy relationships and a higher risk of mental health problems. They argue that PAS can result from a range of behaviors on the part of one parent, including denigrating the other parent in front of the child, limiting the child's contact with the other parent, and encouraging the child to reject the other parent.

Critics of PAS, however, argue that it is not a recognized psychiatric disorder and that the concept is based on flawed assumptions about the dynamics of divorce and child custody battles. Some critics have raised concerns that the concept of PAS can be used to discredit legitimate claims of abuse or neglect by one parent, and that it can be used as a tool by abusive parents to control and manipulate their children.

In recent years, the concept of PAS has largely fallen out of favor among mental health professionals, and it is not included in the DSM-5, the standard diagnostic manual used by psychiatrists. However, the underlying issues that often give rise to PAS, such as high-conflict divorce and custody battles, remain a significant concern for families and mental health professionals alike.