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Parental Alienation vs. Estrangement: What’s the Difference?

 

 

Introduction

 

While parental alienation and parental estrangement are two different phenomena in families, both of them can occur when the parent-child relationship is severely damaged or completely severed. However, what people tend to do is either equate the two or use the two interchangeably. Knowledge of the key differences should be valuable for anyone who seeks to maintain and encourage strong family bonds.

 

  Defining Parental Alienation

 

 The Concept

 

Parental alienation can be described as a specific phenomenon in which one parent deliberately turns the child against the other parent. The alienating parent engages in manipulative behavior so that the child will develop animosity against the targeted parent without any reason. These include name-calling, isolating the targeted parent from the child, making the child take sides, and distorting events to make the targeted parent look unfavorable.

 

Motivations

 

As for the main reasons behind the instances of parental alienation, it is possible to note that the alienating parent is often driven by bitterness and aggression against the rejected parent. They might be planning to parental alienation get back at their ex-spouses post separation or to get rid of barriers to their domination of the child. Their actions, most of the time, can be regarded as a form of psychological abuse. The child is then manipulated and turned into a tool to punish the other parent.

 

Effects

 

When parental alienation takes place, the affection of the child towards the targeted parent is negatively affected. Here, the child internalises the alienating parent’s negative attitudes and beliefs such that the child is prevented from developing a rational, autonomous view of the alienating parent. These can cause confusion, guilt, loss, depression and other problems that may occur in adulthood among other effects. Family is ruined although there is no cause for the severed relationship between parents and children.

 

 Defining Estrangement

 The Concept

 

Parental alienation is a form of separation that arises out of dysfunctional familial relations or parenting difficulties. In contrast with alienation, the breakdown stems out from the child’s perceptions regarding the relationship rather than from manipulation.

 

 Motivations

 

Estrangement is typically due to heir family issues, different views and values, and choices, temperamental and behavioral incompatibility, or prior abuse, neglect, or lack of attachment or care from the estranged parent. The desire to separate originates from the child based on their experience in the relation since they are the one experiencing other’s rejection.

 

 Effects

 

Alphabetic children separate themselves from the parents unconsciously with an aim of avoiding further suffering or disorder within the family. They can indeed think critically about the parent. Though not easy, it is a way that children can set the necessary emotional boundaries apart from creating healthier relationships with other people. Other issues such as confusion, anger, grief and other related aspects may still continue being experienced.

 

 Distinguishing Alienation from Estrangement

 

While both alienation and estrangement involve a child retreating from a parent, there are key differences:While both alienation and estrangement involve a child retreating from a parent, there are key differences:

 

 Origin of the Rift

 

– It is important to have the understanding that the process is actually the result of the actions of the other parent who undermines the child’s loyalty.

– Alienation is endogenous, stemming from the genuine requirement for space by the child.

 

 Presence of Abuse

 

– Thus, alienation is psychological abuse by the alienating parent.

– Post-traumatic stress can stem from abuse/neglect by the estranged, or estrangement may be mutual.

 

 Child’s Perspective

 

– Children who are alienated rely more on beliefs of the alienating parent.

– Estranged children thus possess more personal critical judgement.

 

 Hope for Change

 

– These are the ways on how to end alienation, and each of them involves a reduction of the influence of the alienating parent.

– If it is possible to regain trust over the course of time then estrangement can change as well.

 

 The Role of Family Support

 

Responding to Alienation

 

After identifying the root of alienation, the patient should be encouraged to prevent it from further escalating, and this can be done by discouraging manipulative actions through counseling. However, some contact as possible can help to mitigate the impact of false attitudes. They can also help to reduce feelings of loneliness in the child to some extent. In more serious cases, legal actions such as a change of custody might be necessary to safeguard the child.

 

 Responding to Estrangement

 

This has to be accepted as the child’s decision and not forced on him or her. The estranged parent can look at this as an opportunity to self-reflect and determine whether they were at fault in the separation or if both wanted it, if they apologize and allow connection to be reestablished slowly with the child if at all possible. Family members are able to sympathize and keep both parties informed.

 

Conclusion

 

Knowing the difference between parental alienation and parental estrangement and recognizing that they require different actions also helps families to not worsen the conflict. People turn into aliens when they are abused emotionally, and in such cases, drastic measures should be taken to stop the abuse immediately. Healthy communication, setting boundaries, and healing are important in families regardless of the situations that they encounter.

 

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