Jean Mercer – författare

This book addresses the concept of parental alienation – the belief that when a child of divorced parents avoids one parent, it may be because the preferred parent has persuaded the child to do this. It argues against the unquestioning use of parental alienation concepts in child custody conflicts.

Increasing use of this concept in family courts has led at times to placement of children with abusive or violent parents, damage to the lives of preferred parents, and the use of treatments that have not been shown to be safe or effective. The 13 chapters cover the history and theory of "parental alienation" principles and practices. Methodological and research issues are considered, and diagnostic and treatment methods associated with "parental alienation" beliefs as well as those recommended by research and ethical evidence are analyzed. The connections of "parental alienation" with gender and domestic violence issues are discussed as are the experiences of individuals who have experienced "parental alienation" treatments. The book argues that "parental alienation" principles and practices should be avoided by family courts, in the best interests of children in custody disputes.

This book will be useful reading for lawyers, judges, children’s services workers including social workers, child protection court workers, and mental health professionals involved in child custody decisions.

This book addresses the concept of parental alienation – the belief that when a child of divorced parents avoids one parent, it may be because the preferred parent has persuaded the child to do this. It argues against the unquestioning use of parental alienation concepts in child custody conflicts.

Increasing use of this concept in family courts has led at times to placement of children with abusive or violent parents, damage to the lives of preferred parents, and the use of treatments that have not been shown to be safe or effective. The 13 chapters cover the history and theory of "parental alienation" principles and practices. Methodological and research issues are considered, and diagnostic and treatment methods associated with "parental alienation" beliefs as well as those recommended by research and ethical evidence are analyzed. The connections of "parental alienation" with gender and domestic violence issues are discussed as are the experiences of individuals who have experienced "parental alienation" treatments. The book argues that "parental alienation" principles and practices should be avoided by family courts, in the best interests of children in custody disputes.

This book will be useful reading for lawyers, judges, children’s services workers including social workers, child protection court workers, and mental health professionals involved in child custody decisions.

This book introduces readers to the concept of parental alienation (PA), a belief system that is used with increasing frequency in judicial child custody and parenting plan decisions.

PA is essentially a legal concept without validated psychological definition, assuming that children who resist contact with one divorced parent have in many cases been “brainwashed” or persuaded to do so by the machinations of the preferred parent. PA proponents assert that courts should transfer child custody to the avoided parent and prohibit contact between the child and the preferred parent. Unfortunately, the outcomes of such decisions, as reported by parents and their now-adult children, suggest that application of the PA concept is neither safe nor effective as a response to children’s resistance to contact with a parent. Providing an overview of the concept of parental alienation, methods of identifying PA cases, and court-ordered treatments for children and parents, the book uses seven case-study chapters, each introduced with a brief recapitulation of the issues, and closed with a summary of events to offer suggestions about desirable family court changes.

This is the first book to tell a range of stories about the experiences of fathers, mothers, and children who have been separated and subjected to PA interventions after allegations have been made. It will be of interest to professionals practicing in psychology, psychiatry, social work, counselling, law, and the judiciary, and anyone involved in research and in legislative efforts relevant to family courts.

This book introduces readers to the concept of parental alienation (PA), a belief system that is used with increasing frequency in judicial child custody and parenting plan decisions.

PA is essentially a legal concept without validated psychological definition, assuming that children who resist contact with one divorced parent have in many cases been “brainwashed” or persuaded to do so by the machinations of the preferred parent. PA proponents assert that courts should transfer child custody to the avoided parent and prohibit contact between the child and the preferred parent. Unfortunately, the outcomes of such decisions, as reported by parents and their now-adult children, suggest that application of the PA concept is neither safe nor effective as a response to children’s resistance to contact with a parent. Providing an overview of the concept of parental alienation, methods of identifying PA cases, and court-ordered treatments for children and parents, the book uses seven case-study chapters, each introduced with a brief recapitulation of the issues, and closed with a summary of events to offer suggestions about desirable family court changes.

This is the first book to tell a range of stories about the experiences of fathers, mothers, and children who have been separated and subjected to PA interventions after allegations have been made. It will be of interest to professionals practicing in psychology, psychiatry, social work, counselling, law, and the judiciary, and anyone involved in research and in legislative efforts relevant to family courts.

With a unique focus on inquiry, Thinking Critically About Child Development presents 74 claims related to child development for readers to examine and think through critically. Author Jean Mercer and new co-authors Stephen Hupp and Jeremy Jewell use anecdotes to illustrate common errors of critical thinking and encourage students to consider evidence and logic relevant to everyday beliefs. New material in the Fourth Edition covers adolescence, adverse childhood experiences, genetics, LGBT issues for both parents and children, and other issues about sexuality, keeping readers up to date on the latest scholarship in the field.