Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS)
The term "Parental Alienation Syndrome" was introduced by, Richard A. Gardner, M.D. in the mid 1980's.
In place of a long-winded rewrite of well-established professionals on the topic, we offer a listing of readings, resources and opinions.
The Basics of PAS
Briefly, PAS is not all that dissimilar to the "Stockholm Syndrome" where prisoners of war have been known
to sympathize with their captures after a period of "Brain Washing" occurs. PAS differs in that the capture
is one of a child's parents, who are usually embattled in either a custody dispute or divorce with the other parent.
Dr. Gardner describes PAS as:
"... 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."
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His position is very well explained in "COURT REVIEW, VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1,
SPRING 1991, p 14-21 of the American Judges Association". This paper is subtitled,
"When Psychiatry and the Law Join Forces."
Anita Vestal defines PAS as:
"... a disturbance in which children are preoccupied with viewing
one parent as all good and the other parent as all bad. The bad parent is hated and verbally marginalised, whereas the good parent is idealized and loved ..."
[Mediation and Parental Alienation Syndrome: considerations for an intervention model;
Family and Conciliation Courts Review, (1999) 37 (4) p 487-503]
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The Debate
From Douglas Darnall, Ph.D.:
"PAS is becoming the forum for the modern day battle of parents.
Some women are saying that PAS does not exists or that it is nothing more than a tool used by male dominant courts for taking children from their mothers.
They content that fathers and the attorneys often use PAS as an aggressive defense for physical and sexual abuse. Father's argue that PAS is a real phenomenon
that describes how vindictive women will use any means to destroy their relationship with their children. Courts are now torn because PAS has become a political
issue that is causing a loss of objectivity. PAS must not be a political issue. Instead, we have to put PAS in prospective. Let's summarize what we know and don't
know about PAS."
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The fact that there isn't an easy to use drug for PAS sets off all sorts of alarms with us at CCJ-Carolinas. This fits well with the fact that PAS is not a diagnosis recognized
by the American Psychiatric Association's DSMIV. Who we believe have replaced clinical pyscology with narcotics. If there was such a FDA approved drug, you can bet there would be a CTP code for Medicaid use and everyone would call it real. Why? Because then it is a "billable" issue.
Until clear guidelines are established for the evaluation of PAS by social workers less skilled than medically trained persennel the
debate will continue and so will the abuse of non-custodial parents. We urge you to continue reading and work your way through the links we have
provided and the links that are provided on those pages as well. It's a very deep
subject that you will not understand with a quick overview.
Reference Reading and Links
The following is a list of references on the topic that form a good starting point for your understanding of the matter. Being it is being so well covered,
we decided to provide links to other Parent's Rights Groups and to well done writings on the subject.
Hugs to Heartbreak Web Site
Dr. Richard A. Gardner's Web Site
Links on Dr. Richard A. Gardner's Web Site
Parental Alienation & Parental Alienation Syndrome, by Carey Linde (a lawyer)
Parental Alienation Syndrome: How to Detect It and What to Do About It, by J. Michael Bone and Michael R. Walsh
A Therapist's View Of Parental Alienation Syndrome, by Mary Lund
Parents Who Have Successfully Fought Parental Alienation Syndrome, by Jayne A. Major, Ph.D.
Parent Alienation Syndrome - Composite case from actual examples, by Peggie Ward, Ph.D. and J. Campbell Harvey, J.D.
The Parental Alienation Directory, by PsyCare
Parental Alienation Information Network (PAIN) and Dr. Glenn F. Cartwright
A Guide To The Parental Alienation Syndrome, by Father's are Parents Too
Fathers Are Capable Too: F.A.C.T. Information: Parental Alienation
PAS: From FAMILY PRACTICE NEWS, Vol 20, #24, December 15-31, 1990, page 7.
Parental Alienation Syndrome, by Brain Washing Kids
Symptoms of Parental Alienation, by Douglas Darnall, Ph.D., 1997
The Debate Page, Douglas Darnall, Ph.D.
A GUIDE TO THE PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME: DADS Against Discrimination, USA
A broad PAS Links Page
More PAS Links
Children Need Both Parents
Yours truly,
Director
The Center for Children's Justice - Carolinas Chapter
P.O. Box 891
Concord, NC 28025
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