Gardner's theory of parental alienation

Gardner's theory of parental alienation suggests that in some high-conflict custody cases, one parent may intentionally or unintentionally influence a child to reject the other parent. This process involves manipulating the child's perceptions, leading to an unreasonable fear or hostility towards the targeted parent. Gardner views this as a form of emotional manipulation that harms the child's relationship with the targeted parent, often driven by the alienating parent's own motives. The theory underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing these dynamics to protect the child's well-being and maintain healthy parent-child relationships.