Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Parental Alienation Awareness Day is an annual American holiday devoted to raising awareness about parental alienation syndrome. This condition affects children whose families are in constant conflict or whose parents are divorced. It is always a significant stressor for a child when parents separate, and it can have a negative impact on their development. This day is observed on April 25 in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda.

History

The history of Parental Alienation Awareness Day dates back to 2005 when Canadian Sarvi Emo initiated the observance. Her proposal was later supported by various organizations involved in monitoring child abuse, homelessness, and related issues.

Parental alienation is considered a form of child abuse. It can manifest in many ways. For instance, one parent may turn the child against the other parent, or in cases of divorce, one parent may forbid the other from seeing the child. Regardless of the specifics, the common result is that the child stops feeling loved and needed, becoming lonely due to the parents’ personal conflicts. This can lead to dangerous outcomes such as running away from home or associating with harmful influences. Discord between parents poses a potential threat to a child’s well-being.

Interesting Facts

• If, as a result of one parent leaving the family, the remaining parent makes no effort to work with the child, 80% of these children will need psychological help to overcome various complexes and problems for a successful future.
• Parental alienation is most commonly observed in dysfunctional families.
• Family discord can cause various issues in a child, including an inferiority complex, depression, uncontrollable anger, and even suicidal thoughts.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about the issue of parental alienation. Discuss it with others who have families. If they are part of a single-parent family, find out how involved the single parent is in raising the child. You can also offer financial and material support to orphanages.

When is Parental Alienation Awareness Day in 2025?

Parental Alienation Awareness Day is observed on April 25 each year.

Observations