The End of Gendered Policy: A New Public Policy Framework for Alienation in Families (Parental Alienation)

The adverse effects of parental alienation on children’s welfare and their

targeted/rejected parents are well documented. Parental alienating behaviours are a form of non-gendered discursive violence enacted through manipulating power in family relationships. Yet, it is still not recognised as a public health issue. Instead, policy and law are limited by a gendered paradigm despite evidence of its non-gendered presentation. This article applies a critical and intersectional policy framework to address these abuses of power in family relationships. This new policy approach may lead to laws and policies that reduce the harm alienating power relations causes children and family members, recognising its presentation across gender lines. Intersectionality applied to parental alienation supports the interaction and interdependence of multiple disciplines in this public health issue. Public policies addressing alienation in families invite society and its members to consider the problem of alienation as a public issue with interconnecting and interacting factors.