Throughout history, there have been behaviours and practices that were once widely accepted or overlooked, only to later be recognised as harmful or abusive. Take smoking, for example. For decades, it was promoted as a healthy habit, but we now know what effects it can have on health, and people can make an informed choice about it. Similarly, domestic abuse was often dismissed or normalised, with victims suffering in silence due to societal stigma and lack of awareness. It took years of advocacy and education to bring attention to the issue and provide support for survivors.
Parental alienation is another complex and often misunderstood form of abuse that follows this pattern. Despite the overwhelming evidence of its harmful impact on children and families, there are still those who deny its existence or downplay its severity. This denial only adds insult to injury for those of u who have experienced its devastating effects firsthand.
Alienated children are now coming forward in greater numbers to corroborate the experiences of parents who have had their loved, previously loving children turned against them unjustifiably. While parental alienation may not yet be officially classified as a mental health disorder, its profound and lasting effects cannot be ignored. Awareness of parental alienation needs to extend beyond those directly affected to encompass legal and mental health professionals, as well as educators and law enforcement.
As with cigarette packages, some parents should have warning labels—am I wrong? WARNING: THIS (PARENT) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO YOUR (MENTAL) HEALTH.
About the artist, Claudia Kaak: Her brilliant work has a social narrative focusing on her childhood experiences and mental illness. Her artwork deals with existential feelings, human inner strife, and the extreme, unlimited emotional and physical experience pain
GreatCosmicMothersUnite 