Divorce Guide

Characteristics Traits of Alienated Children

Alienation from a parent is a common phenomenon among children of parents in estranged relationship. Parental Alienation Syndrome has a number of bad effects on children. One can identify the problem with the knowledge of characteristic traits of alienated children.

The problem is mostly seen in children whose parents are either divorced or in the course of separation. Out of vengeance or ill will a parent uses the alienation strategy to alienation the child from the other parent.

In order to alienate, one parent brainwashes the child and instills wrong and negative things about the other parent. Gradually the child starts hating the parent and is completely alienated. The child behaves in a rude and rash manner with the parent and tortures him emotionally.

Alienation can be done at different stages. A child can be alienated from a parent while the divorce proceedings are going on. For example, Jason was alienated from his father when he was as young as 13 years old. His mother wanted to win Jason in the custody battle and to achieve this purpose she created a big gap between the father and son. As a result Jason opted to stay with the mother when asked by the court about his preference.

Alienation can also be done post divorce for vengeance or out of ill will. For example Adam was very attached to his father even after his parents were separated and he stayed with his mother. However, after a few years Adam’s father re married. Adam’s mother did not like this and started telling negative things to him about his father. Gradually Adam was withdrawn from his father and stopped even following visitation schedules.

Parents can make out that a child is getting alienate. The child seems withdrawn from him, does not behave in the same way as he did before, does not share his feelings, and talks less. If the situation gets worse the child also misbehaves with the parent by shouting, arguing, or using offensive language for him. He might also curse or physically hurt the parent.

1. Children with PAS take side of one parent and completely disregard the other one. Whether in court, family, or society, their stand is clear that they don’t want any contact with the other parent. They are not even ready to give an ear to what the other parent has to say about the issue.
2. After getting alienated from one parent they isolate the selves from the rest of the world. They have fewer friends and do not ingle easily with other kids. Alienated kids create a world for themselves and do not like anybody’s interference in that.
3. They become aggressive if they get a chance to meet the parent they dislike. Alienated children shout, curse, and use offensive language against the parent. This aggressiveness also starts reflecting in their behavior for others. They become sensitive and over react even at trivial issues.
4. Most of the alienated children do not perform good in studies or other spheres of like. The emotional imbalance caused by alienation starts reflecting in their personality. Many re school drop outs and non performers.

Characteristic traits of alienated children might differ from person to person but in general they fall in the above mentioned broad categories.

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