Apr

Parental Alienation Day April 25

Parental Alienation Day April 25

Key Takeaway

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) is a controversial term coined by psychologist Richard A. Gardner in the 1980s, referring to a pattern of behavior by one parent that manipulates a child against the other parent during or after a divorce or separation.
April 25 is observed by some advocacy groups and individuals as Parental Alienation Awareness Day, although it is not recognized as an official day in history or most countries, and the choice of this date is likely arbitrary. The validity of Parental Alienation Syndrome as a distinct syndrome is still debated among mental health professionals.

Timeline

1985
Introduction of Parental Alienation Syndrome
PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome) was first introduced by child psychiatrist Richard A. Gardner.
1987
PAS in Custody Disputes
Gardner published 'The Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Guide for Mental Health and Legal Professionals'.
1995
Inclusion in DSM
PAS was proposed for inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), but it was not accepted.
2003
Parental Alienation Awareness Day
The first Parental Alienation Awareness Day was observed on April 25.
2012
PAS in Canadian Courts
The Supreme Court of Canada recognized PAS in the case of D.B.S. v. S.R.G.
2013
Parental Alienation in DSM-5
DSM-5 did not include PAS but recognized 'Child Psychological Abuse' which can include some elements of PAS.
2017
Parental Alienation Day in Spain
Spain officially recognized April 25 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day.
2018
WHO and Parental Alienation
The World Health Organization included 'Child psychological abuse' in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which can include some elements of PAS.
2020
Global Parental Alienation Awareness Day
April 25 was recognized as Global Parental Alienation Awareness Day.

Day Activities

  1. Parental Alienation Awareness Day kicks off with community gatherings in various cities, where folks come together to share stories and support one another. These meetings often feature talks from experts in psychology and family law, aiming to shed light on the nuances of parental alienation and its effects on both children and alienated parents.

  2. Throughout the day, workshops and seminars take the stage, offering invaluable resources for affected families. Participants can learn coping strategies, legal advice, and ways to rebuild strained relationships. It's a chance for parents to gain insights into navigating the complex emotional landscape that parental alienation presents.

  3. As the sun sets, candlelight vigils are held in honor of the bonds lost to parental alienation. These solemn events symbolize hope and solidarity, bringing together community members to acknowledge the pain while fostering a sense of collective healing and commitment to preventing further cases of alienation.

Why We Love This Day

  • Raising Awareness: One of the biggest reasons we love Parental Alienation Awareness Day is its focus on shedding light on an issue that often flies under the radar. Despite the controversy surrounding PAS, there's no denying that conflicts between parents can negatively affect their kids. By marking this day, folks are encouraged to learn more about how parental behaviors can harm child-parent relationships, fostering a more informed community.

  • Supporting Affected Families: This day isn't just about awareness; it's also about offering a helping hand to those caught in the crossfire. For families navigating through the murky waters of separation or divorce, knowing there's a day dedicated to acknowledging their struggles can be a huge relief. It's a way to tell them they're not alone, and there's a whole community ready to support and guide them through these tough times.

  • Encouraging Positive Parenting: Lastly, Parental Alienation Awareness Day serves as a nudge for parents to reflect on their actions and strive for healthier co-parenting strategies. It's easy to get lost in personal grievances during a breakup, but this day reminds everyone involved that the well-being of the children should always come first. Encouraging positive parenting practices helps in mitigating the risks of alienation and fosters a more loving and supportive environment for kids to grow up in.

Past & Future Dates

MonthDayYear
APRIL252022
APRIL252023
APRIL252024
APRIL252025
APRIL252026
APRIL252027
APRIL252028

FAQ

How do you prove narcissistic parental alienation?

Proving narcissistic parental alienation involves demonstrating a pattern of behavior by one parent that systematically denigrates the other parent in the eyes of the child, leading to the child rejecting the targeted parent. Evidence can include documented communications, testimony from mental health professionals, and examples of manipulative behaviors. It often requires the expertise of legal and psychological professionals to effectively present a case.

Is today parental alienation day?

April 25 is Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD) in the USA, Canada, and Bermuda. This awareness day was created as part of a global awareness campaign about parental alienation.

Parental alienation is a strategy whereby one parent intentionally displays to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent. The purpose of this strategy is to damage the child's relationship with the other parent and to turn the child's emotions against that parent.



Also Happens on April 25

Public Holidays on April 25

All public holidays for April 25 →

On This Day in History — April 25

  • 2015 — Nearly 9,100 are killed after a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Nepal.
  • 2015 — Riots break out in Baltimore, Maryland following the death of Freddie Gray in police custody.
  • 2007 — Boris Yeltsin's funeral: The first to be sanctioned by the Russian Orthodox Church for a head of state since the funeral of Emperor Alexander III in 1894.
  • 2005 — The final piece of the Obelisk of Axum is returned to Ethiopia after being stolen by the invading Italian army in 1937.
  • 2005 — Bulgaria and Romania sign accession treaties to join the European Union.
  • 2004 — The March for Women's Lives brings between 500,000 and 800,000 protesters, mostly pro-choice, to Washington D.C. to protest the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, and other restrictions on abortion.

More about history on this day →

Notable Births on April 25

  • 1997 — Julius Ertlthaler, Austrian footballer
  • 1996 — Mack Horton, Australian swimmer
  • 1995 — Lewis Baker, English footballer
  • 1993 — Alex Bowman, American race car driver
  • 1993 — Daniel Norris, American baseball player
  • 1991 — Alex Shibutani, American ice dancer

Notable Deaths on April 25

  • 2016 — Tom Lewis, Australian politician, 33rd Premier of New South Wales (b. 1922)
  • 2015 — Jim Fanning, American-Canadian baseball player and manager (b. 1927)
  • 2015 — Matthias Kuhle, German geographer and academic (b. 1948)
  • 2015 — Don Mankiewicz, American screenwriter and novelist (b. 1922)
  • 2015 — Mike Phillips, American basketball player (b. 1956)
  • 2014 — Barbara Fiske Calhoun, American cartoonist and painter (b. 1919)

Sports on April 25

  • NBA: Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets Final
  • MLB: Athletics @ Texas Rangers Final
  • MLB: New York Yankees @ Houston Astros Final
  • MLB: Seattle Mariners @ St. Louis Cardinals Final
  • NHL: Vegas Golden Knights @ Utah Mammoth Final
  • NHL: Edmonton Oilers @ Anaheim Ducks Final

All sports schedules for April 25 →