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Why Do American Family Courts Seem Indifferent to Parental Alienation and Custodial Interference?
Every year, millions of children in the United States are alienated from one of their parents due to parental alienation and custodial interference. These issues devastate families, sever essential parent-child bonds, and leave emotional scars that often last a lifetime. Yet, despite their prevalence and the mounting evidence of their harm, American family courts often appear indifferent to these behaviors. Why does this happen, and what can be done to address it?
The Silent Crisis of Parental Alienation
Parental alienation occurs when one parent intentionally undermines a child’s relationship with the other parent through manipulation, coercion, or outright obstruction. Custodial interference involves one parent violating custody agreements, often to limit the non-custodial parent’s access to the child. Both forms of behavior harm children and violate the principle of shared parenting enshrined in many custody orders.
Yet, family courts rarely intervene decisively. For alienated parents, the court’s inaction can feel like complicity.
Why Family Courts Let Parental Alienation Slide
- Lack of Awareness and Training
Judges and…