The Malicious Mother Syndrome: What Is It? This description may not be accurate in Michigan. Both mothers and fathers are capable of such activities, despite the term “malicious mother syndrome” being more frequently used. The term “malicious parent syndrome” describes the harsh and occasionally violent methods one parent may employ to discipline the other parent. One parent begins by disparaging the other without realizing that these actions are harmful to the children.
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Children are genetically and physically representations of both parents, but parents are unaware of or lack the appreciation for this. Children are always the target of criticism when it comes to the other parent. Parents should refrain from this. Unfortunately, slander might turn into something else. A divorced or divorcing parent may frequently go to great lengths, injuring or denying their children, in an effort to make the other parent look bad.
A Parental Syndrome Driven By Malice
Divorce and custody disputes are frequently difficult, high-stress situations often leading to extreme behavior on the part of the parties involved.
The term “malicious parent syndrome” was first proposed by psychologist Ira Turkat to describe a pattern of abnormal behavior during divorce. Some cases have resulted in situations linked to this syndrome, which was formerly known as “malicious mother syndrome” but is now more commonly known as “malicious parent syndrome.”
It’s vital to highlight that the medical community does not now classify malicious parent or malicious mother syndrome as a mental condition. Instead, the condition defines a kind of behavior that has shown up in some legal disputes, which has prompted its supporters to ask for more investigation and inquiry.
It is now understood both the mother or the father could display symptoms of malicious parent syndrome.
What Malicious Thing Is This!
Malicious parent syndrome has four key characteristics, which are as follows:
[1] Attempting to distance the children from the other parent to the point that the parent displaying symptoms of the illness would try to have the child separated from the other parent through the courts.
To rebuke the other parent, one parent may refuse to give the kids to them. Most parents may fear the other parent will act in this way and refuse to take the chance they won’t get their kids back. They will therefore withdraw their kids and act in the very manner they are trying to avoid. When an existing order has been broken or when a parent wants to request some conservatorship orders be put in place, this frequently results in court involvement.
[2] Making an effort to deny the other parent access to the child, visitation rights, and communication rights, as well as keeping them out of the child’s extracurricular and academic activities.
A parent who suffers from malicious parent syndrome could refuse the other parent access to and contact with the children. There are several real causes that could prevent parental visitation. For instance, some parents may refuse visitation unless the other parent also pays child support. There is no legal duty for one parent to pay child support in the absence of a court judgment mandating it.
The primary parent could not deny the other parent possession of the child or access to the child, even if such an order necessitated the paying of child support. The opposite is also true: If a parent is expected to pay child support but is being denied a kid’s residency or entrance, that does not excuse them from doing so.
[3] Lying to children and others, as well as committing crimes.
Denying contact and visitation may cause a parent to start lying to their kids about the other parent’s absence when they are questioned about it. If a child is older than 12 years old, this manipulation may be likely to influence who they choose to stay with and may influence the judge’s decision. It might also be an effort to present that parent in the most favorable possible light for the judge.
[4] Committing these crimes even without having a mental illness would lead to such behavior in the spiteful parent.
Malicious parent syndrome is a term used to describe a pattern of actions a parent may do during a divorce case; it is not a recognized mental illness. Malicious parent syndrome is frequently used to describe a parent’s behavior when there are no underlying disorders to explain it.
The Powerful and Malevolent Impact of Malicious Parent Syndrome
The actions that a malevolent parent conducts are frequently illegal or criminal in nature. When one parent strikes the other or causes damage to their property, this is true. Parents who intentionally harm a kid or children, such as by depriving them of food, money, or other necessities, in an effort to harm the other parent, may face charges of child abuse. A parent who intentionally lies while being sworn in may also be prosecuted with perjury.
Both the damaged parent and their relationship with the child may be greatly strained when one parent goes out of their way to harm the other. In some situations, a parent who has been the target of abusive behavior by their ex-spouse may choose to distance themselves from their child’s life in order to prevent more conflict. A manipulative parent could also be successful in making their child dislike and want to spend less time with the other parent.
Numerous actions linked to malevolent parent syndrome may be illegal and violate both civil and criminal laws.
Some behaviors associated with the malicious parent syndrome are clearly illegal in nature, such as harming the other parent or causing damage to their property. To hurt the other parent’s reputation, depriving kids of food or money could be considered child abuse, which is illegal under both family and criminal law. Similar to lying under oath, a malicious parent could be prosecuted with perjury if they do so.
There may be further instances of civil law violations connected to this pattern of behavior. For instance, violating a parent’s legally mandated visitation rights may be punished with penalties, court-mandated counseling, and modifications to the parent’s custody and visitation schedules. Defamation can occur when one parent lies about the other parent’s actions in a way that damages the other parent’s reputation and causes actual harm.
Parental malfeasance can also affect parenting schedules and custody agreements. Any action to obtain or modify custody may take into account a parent’s involvement in any alienating, harsh, or unlawful behavior.
A parent can safeguard oneself from this syndrome in a number of ways. For instance, if there are already court orders in place, one parent may bring an enforcement action against the other parent to compel the other parent to follow the ruling.
Most of the time, this lawsuit will ask for compensation for the costs of the attorney and any other expenses incurred as a result of the other parent’s alienating actions. By doing this, it is certain that the parent who engaged in malevolent parenting will pay the price rather than the innocent parent.
Getting professionals engaged in the issue as soon as possible is another method of preventing parental alienation resulting from the behavior of a malicious parent . Psychologists are some examples of professionals you could wish to work with. These psychologists have received training in identifying and addressing alienation.
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