Inadmissibility of “parental alienation syndrome”

Last edited: January 05, 2011

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Legislation should state that “parental alienation syndrome” is not admissible as evidence in hearings on child custody or visitation. “Parental alienation syndrome” describes a situation in which one parent is accused of alienating a child from the other parent.  In situations of domestic abuse, behavior that is reasonable to protect a child from abuse may be misinterpreted by a court as a self-serving attempt by one parent to turn the child against the other parent. (See What is Parental Alienation Syndrome, The Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence.