Senator Walczyk Wears Royal Blue Tie To Raise Awareness For Parental Alienation Awareness Day

Senator Mark Walczyk is donning a royal blue tie today to spread awareness for Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD). This day was created as a global awareness campaign about the lasting effects that parental alienation can have on a child's development. Parental alienation is a strategy where one parent intentionally and unjustly influences a child against another parent. According to the National Center for State Courts, the purpose of this strategy is often to damage the child’s relationship with the other parent and to turn the child’s emotions against the other parent.

The Psychiatric Times reports that parental alienation is present in 11%-15% of divorce cases and 20%-25% of parents will continue to engage in alienating behavior as long as six years after divorce. Contemporary Pediatrics claim that the rejection of a parent due to parental alienation is a devastating and tragic event for the child. Research clearly shows that children need both of their parents to be actively involved in their lives. The rejection of a parent is associated with many long-term, negative consequences for the child. Depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, lack of trust in relationships, and self-defeating behavior are just some of the deleterious consequences.

“My bow tie today is tied to raise awareness of a silent epidemic that needs to be more openly addressed. In any situation, both parents play crucial roles in forming the important foundation of a child’s youth. Parental alienation not only impacts the other parent, but can have severe mental consequences on a child as well. The well-being of our youth should be priority one and raising awareness to causes that aren’t discussed enough is an important first step.” 

“The lasting impacts of hostility in children’s homes and other forms of child abuse on the youth of our community are many,” said Dr. Christopher Wojeski, Assistant Superintendent of Gloversville School District. “As a school district, we see that when children are exposed to aggressive parenting, the risk of mental health issues increases exponentially. Children who experience this trauma often become withdrawn from typical daily functions in school and in the community, and regularly endure attendance and behavioral issues. In addition, those youth who have been affected by hostile parents, do not achieve academic success at the same rates as their peers who are not subject to aggressive parenting and/or child abuse. Parenting that is warm, caring, and supportive provides children with the greatest opportunity to thrive in and out of the classroom, and creates the foundation for productive adult lives.

Senator Walczyk represents the 49th Senate District of New York State which encompasses either the entirety or part of Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Herkimer, Hamilton, and Fulton counties. Bow Tie Tuesday is a fun initiative by the Senator to raise awareness to important issues and will be released each Tuesday on his website and social media.