At a recent signing ceremony in Montgomery, State Rep. Kenneth Paschal and Governor Kay Ivey came together to proclaim April 25 as “Parental Alienation Awareness Day” and April 21 through April 27 as “Parental Alienation Prevention Week.”

The proclamation and its accompanying initiative are meant to help demonstrate the importance of allowing children to share love with both parents without any fear or guilt. The campaign also highlights the link between parental alienation and child abuse, emphasizing the mental harm children may experience as a result.

“Parental alienation occurs when one or both parents intentionally display to the child unjustified negativity aimed at the other parent in order to fortify one relationship and harm the other,” Paschal said.

“Studies show that such actions are harmful, and children are more likely to thrive behaviorally and academically when they are allowed to have positive and loving relationships with both parents.”

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Among the points Ivey’s proclamation acknowledges are:

• Strong family relationships constitute the foundation of our community.
• Parental Alienation describes any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent, both parents or third party designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their other parent, constituting a form of emotional abuse with lasting effects on children.
• Parental alienation denies children their fundamental right to freely love and receive love from both parents and extended family members, undermining their sense of security.
• An estimated 40,000 children in Alabama annually endure court-mandated visitation with one parent for only two to six days a month.

On April 25th, individuals are encouraged to take 5 minutes to blow bubbles for love and show support for children.

Participation is encouraged from various community entities, such as the mayor’s office, churches, schools, and businesses. Participants are urged to share photos or videos on social media using #BubblesForLove and #StopParentalAlienation.

During February of this year, Rep. Paschal also sponsored a constitutional amendment that recognizes and protects the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, care, and control of their children.

In addition to those efforts, in January of 2023, Paschal filed legislation ensuring that the state of Alabama recognizes parental rights as “fundamental rights”, rather than just “ordinary rights.”

“’Ordinary rights’ allow parents’ decisions to be overridden by the state government more easily,” Paschal explained. “’Fundamental rights’ cannot be taken away unless there is a ‘compelling reason’ demonstrated.”

According to Paschal, the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes parental rights through its interpretation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. However, they are not specifically outlined in Alabama’s Constitution.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.