Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

FROM STAFF REPORTS

State Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R – Pelham, recently joined Gov. Kay Ivey at an official State Capitol signing ceremony for proclamations declaring April 25, 2024 as “Parental Alienation Awareness Day” and April 21 through April 27, 2024 as “Parental Alienation Prevention Week.”

“Parental alienation occurs when one or both parents intentionally display to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent in order to fortify one relationship and harm the other,” said Paschal, who has sponsored and passed several bills protecting parental rights. “Studies show that such actions are harmful, and children are more likely to thrive behaviorally and academically when they are allowed to have positive and loving relationships with both parents.”

The “Parental Alienation Prevention Week” campaign in Alabama aims to raise awareness about the importance of allowing children to share love with both parents without fear or guilt. Using soap bubbles as a symbol, the campaign highlights the link between parental alienation and child abuse, emphasizing the mental harm children may experience.

On April 25, individuals are encouraged to take 5 minutes to blow bubbles for love and show support for children. Participation is encouraged from various community entities, such as the mayor’s office, churches, schools and businesses. Participants are urged to share photos or videos on social media using #BubblesForLove and #StopParentalAlienation.

Among the points Ivey’s proclamation acknowledges are:

• Strong family relationships constitute the foundation of our community
• Parental alienation describes any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent, both parents or third party designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their other parent, constituting a form of emotional abuse with lasting effects on children
• Parental alienation denies children their fundamental right to freely love and receive love from both parents and extended family members, undermining their sense of security
• An estimated 40,000 children in Alabama annually endure court-mandated visitation with one parent for only two to six days a month