Relative POV
Taking a Family Prism Approach
Each family member experiences the separation differently and their involvement may influence parent-child dynamics.
Why is this important?
- Siblings who are expected to either team up or take sides, promoting discord in an otherwise close relationship, interacting with both parents on a daily basis, or developing new patterns of interaction (Ebersohn & Bouwer, 2015) that require the child to interact with step-parents or siblings.
- The causes of the PCCP may stem from court-associated or parent-specific circumstances, including domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) (Sullivan et al., 2024).
- Parental behaviors may also result in the child feeling unable to express their love or positive feelings towards one parent without experiencing negativity or retribution from the other (Ben-Ami & Baker, 2012).
Family Prism considerations
Taking a Family Prism Approach with relatives may reveal factors with family members that could be addressed to best help the family.
For example...
- Siblings who are expected to either team up or take sides, promoting discord in an otherwise close relationship, interacting with both parents on a daily basis, or developing new patterns of interaction (Ebersohn & Bouwer, 2015) that require the child to interact with step-parents or siblings.
- Grandparents, aunts, and uncles who regularly see the child might attempt to limit the child’s contact with the parent, or interfere with communication. This might change the child’s perception of the parent and influence the child’s emotional security.
Summary
The Family Prism Approach facilitates a broader understanding of the interactions between families and the court system, and the internal and external factors that may contribute to the parent-child dynamics.
Research shows...
According to Doǧan and Aytekin (2021), although the alienation process is not a result of the child’s actions but arises from interactions between both parents and the extended family, the child may experience emotional abuse.
What is the Family Prism Approach
Points of View in Family Court
Points of View in Family Court
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