WHAT IS THE “PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME” (P.A.S.)?
Most simply put, the Parental Alienation Syndrome (P.A.S.) involves a deliberate attempt by one parent to destroy the relationship and bond his or her children have with their other parent – AND – it also involves the children’s active and self created participation or collaboration in the process of alienation. The P.A.S. ia a pheonomenon that occurs almost exclusively within the context of divorce. Q: CAN THE TERM “P.A.S.” BE USED TO DESCRIBE SITUATIONS WHERE ONE PARENT “BAD-MOUTHS” THE OTHER PARENT OR BLOCKS ACCESS? A: No – not unless these behaviors are part of a larger scheme of programming. P.A.S. goes well beyond “bad-mouthing” the other parent, blocking access and other attempts at brainwashing children. P.A.S. involves a systematic process of denigration and malignment of the other parent (i.e., the targeted parent) and often extends to friends and relatives of that parent. Most importantly, it involves the children’s participation and at times, their collaboration in the alie
