According to Datafolha, it is estimated that around 80% of the 20 million children of separated couples in Brazil are affected by situations of parental alienation. This data reveals an alarming reality, highlighting the urgent need to address and face this complex challenge.
According to Paulo Akiyama, a lawyer who works with family law in Brazil, parental alienation is more than a dispute between parents – it is a factor that impacts the emotional and psychological well-being of the children involved. “In this delicate context, several cases vividly illustrate how the issue can negatively affect children’s development, leaving lasting emotional scars,” he adds.
Law 14,340/22, enacted in March 2022, represents a step in the fight against parental alienation in the country. By modifying Law 12,318/10, the legislation reinforces the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the processes involving the problem. This legislative change seeks to ensure greater participation of professionals such as psychologists and social workers, offering children who are victims of this practice broader and more specialized support during the process, aiming at the protection and emotional well-being of these vulnerable individuals.
“There have been cases where parental alienation has led to a devastating impact on the children involved. Manipulation, misinformation and the forced removal of one of the parents have resulted in problems of anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties for the children affected”, comments the expert, highlighting the urgent need to address this issue not just as a conflict between adults. , but as something that can have devastating consequences for the emotional and mental well-being of children.
For the lawyer, the situation fragments family relationships and leaves deep scars on children, undermining their confidence and emotional stability. “It is necessary for society and the legal system to come together to protect the well-being of these children, prioritizing their healthy development, even in challenging family contexts,” he points out.
Experts agree that parental alienation has a major impact on children’s mental health, generating serious consequences. The recurring disorders of this type of exposure and manipulation can also result in problems of insecurity and affect these children’s sense of identity.
The environment of constant tension and the pressure to choose a parent can cause lasting emotional difficulties, compromising their psychological and social development. The issue does not only involve problems during the incident, but can also generate negative results on mental health in the long term.