The diploma thesis deals with assisted contacts of parents and children in the Czech Republic. A functioning family is essential for a child's successful development and future life. Today, many families live where stability and well-functioning family relationships are not a matter of course. Family breakdowns are becoming a more common reality that not only adults but also children have to deal with and learn to live with. In today's world we can find many forms of family. A situation where a child grows up with only one parent may in some cases be more convenient than living in a dysfunctional conflicting family that does not provide the child with enough love. Nevertheless, the child is affected by this fact. The parents' attitude in how they deal with divorce or separation represents an important factor for successful development of a child.. If the parents manage to explain the situation clearly and appropriately, given the age to the child, or whether the parents manipulate the child and draw them into their problems, the child perceives it all. This manipulation can take place in the form of so-called child programming. The way parents appear in front of their children, how they communicate with each other and whether they vent their problems in front of their children will fundamentally...

Parental alienation is when one parent denigrates the other to turn their children against that parent, often after a separation or divorce. It is well-documented but poorly understood as a form of domestic abuse. This study explores how one Austrian and one Swedish father experience parental alienation in the wake of false allegations of sex abuse, how they perceive their emotional situation after the separation, how their interactions with their children have been affected and what economic impact this has had on their lives.  The study concentrates on white, heterosexual, agnostic men. It is based upon in-depth interviews, and analytically framed within the parental alienation theory. The analysis identified several core themes suggesting the need for better education and training on parental alienation, and strategies to enable effective change to public policies and family law.

[pt] A finalidade do presente trabalho é problematizar a atuação do psicólogo nas Varas de Família diante das determinações de estudo psicológico para avaliação e detecção de supostos atos de alienação parental (AP), buscando refletir sobre os filhos desmentidos enredados no litígio. Ao longo de toda a dissertação, buscou-se estabelecer uma análise cuidadosa quanto à interseção entre Psicologia e Direito, ponderando sobre desafios para a atuação do psicólogo nas Varas de Família. Ademais, pretendeu-se avaliar, na perspectiva da teoria de Ferenczi acerca do trauma, a possibilidade da reprodução do desmentido na criança, pela instituição judiciária, diante dos pedidos do Judiciário por perícia psicológica. Por meio desse percurso teórico, foi possível suscitar reflexões acerca das potencialidades do trabalho do psicólogo e da necessidade de uma atuação crítica frente às demandas do Judiciário, preservando a garantia dos direitos previstos em lei de proteção da criança e do adolescente. Para alcançar tais objetivos, foram apresentados dois fragmentos de casos atendidos pela pesquisadora no enquadre judiciário que puderam enriquecer a discussão teórica por meio da articulação com a prática profissional. Com este trabalho, foi possível apontar que a lógica patologizante e punitivista contida na Lei da Alienação Parental (LAP) acentua a judicialização da família e, por consequência, perpetua o lugar coadjuvante dos filhos em meio ao litígio parental. Consideramos que esse cenário convoca os psicólogos a atuarem de maneira sensível e crítica quanto às demandas que lhe são endereçadas, a fim de mitigar os riscos de uma nova experiência traumática às crianças e adolescentes, dessa vez, cometida pela instituição judiciária. / [en] The aim of this paper is to debate the performance of therapists in Family Courts through the determination of psychological study to evaluate and detect alleged acts of parental alienation (PA) to ponder about childhood trauma denial of kids enmeshed in litigation. This dissertation attempts to establish an accurate careful over the intersection between Psychology and Law, considering the challenges in therapists practice in Family Courts. Moreover, it intends to evaluate, under Ferenczi s theory on trauma perspective, the possibility of the trauma denial reproduction by the court on the child, with psychological expertise demanded by the Judiciary. Through this theoretical foundation, it was possible to arouse reflections regarding the psychologists practice potentials and the urge to a critical work concerning the requirements from the Judiciary, invariably preserving the rights envisaged by the law for protection of the child and the adolescent. To achieve this aim, the study presents two pieces from cases treated by the researcher in the judicial branch to enhance the theoretical discussion by integrating it with her professional practice. This paperwork enables to identify that the pathologizing punitive approach from the Parental Alienation Act (LAP in local acronym) consolidates the family judicialization process. As a result, there is a children s secondary role perpetuation in the parental litigation process. This scenario convenes psychologists to operate under a sensitive critical method regarding the received demands to mitigate the risks of another traumatic experience for children and adolescents, this time committed by court.

Résumé : Le présent essai doctoral vise à définir les facteurs de risque ou de protection de l’engagement paternel chez les pères ayant eu recours à la médiation ordonnée (Mo) et à l’expertise psychosociale (Exp). L’étude de 222 dossiers légaux et la réalisation de 22 entrevues repose sur une approche exploratoire dont les données quantitatives et qualitatives ont été recueillies de façon ponctuelle (entrevues) et en rétrospective (analyse des dossiers). Cet essai présente à notre connaissance des données originales. L'analyse des tendances démographiques nommée « analyse populationnelle dynamique » et les données qui en sont issues sont appelées « données populationnelles ». Elles tracent un portrait des pères qui tient compte du contexte social dans lequel ils évoluent et situent les échantillons sur la courbe normale ou selon le critère évalué. Cette méthode d'analyse soutient avantageusement le modèle écologique de Bronfenbrenner (1979). Les résultats indiquent qu’au-delà des procédures de cour, le facteur de risque le plus important à l’engagement paternel est la difficile communication avec l’ex-conjointe appelée « communication dégradant le lien parental » dont les deux piliers sont la dépréciation et l'obstruction. Le conflit qui oppose les parents est de longue durée et se prolonge parfois sur une décennie. Cette intensité de conflit discrimine le profil des pères utilisant la médiation ordonnée de celui des pères utilisant la médiation volontaire. À ce conflit sont associés des coûts psychologiques chez les pères et leur famille, mais également des coûts financiers attribuables à la longueur des procédures de cour. Ces coûts constituent également un facteur de risque tout comme les caractéristiques des couples présentant des écarts d’âge, de valeurs et de culture. Les recommandations de l’expertise et les ententes de la médiation ordonnée ont un effet de courte durée sur le conflit qui oppose les parents. Les pères perçoivent l’expertise comme un facteur de protection de leur engagement, car leur capacité parentale y est reconnue et les recommandations que contiennent les expertises influencent les décisions de la cour. La capacité des pères à valoriser leur rôle parental et les stratégies utilisées pour contrer une communication dénigrante sont également des facteurs de protection. De ces constats se dégage une série de recommandations visant tant la recherche que les interventions cliniques. // Abstract : This doctoral essay seeks to define the risk or protective factors of paternal involvement among fathers who have recourse to court-ordered mediation (Mo) and custody assessment (Exp). An examination of 222 legal cases and the 22 interviews which were conducted is based on an approach that is exploratory (both quantitative and qualitative), case-by-case (interviews) and retrospective (case-file analysis), which to our knowledge is innovative in many ways. The analysis of demographic trends called "population-based dynamic analysis", while the data derived from it are called "population-based data". They paint a portrait of fathers that takes into account the social context in which they find themselves and place the samples on a normal curve or in accordance with the criterion being evaluated. This method of analysis favorably supports Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model (1979). The results indicate that beyond court procedures, the most significant paternal-involvement risk factor is difficult communication with the ex-wife, called "communication detrimental to the parental relationship", which is based on two major pillars: depreciation and obstruction. These pillars present a conceptual affinity with parental alienation, negative co-parenting and restrictive gatekeeping. The conflict between the parents is long-lasting, sometimes extending over a decade. This conflict intensity distinguishes the profiles of fathers using court-ordered mediation from those using voluntary mediation. Psychological and financial costs for the fathers and their family associated with the length of court procedures constitute a risk factor as well, as do the characteristics of couples of differing ages, values and cultures. Court custody assessments and court-ordered mediation have a short-term effect on parental conflict. However, fathers perceived court custody assessments as a protective factor for their paternal involvement because their parenting ability is thus recognized and recommendations contained in the assessments influence court decisions. The ability of fathers to enhance their parenting role and the strategies they use to counter derogatory communications are also protective factors. These findings result in a series of recommendations aimed both at research and clinical interventions.

During the past few decades there has been a breakdown in the commitment to long term relationships, with no fault divorce laws making it easier for couples to obtain a divorce resulting in increase in divorce rates. Research has shown that in acrimonious divorces with high levels of conflict children often get caught in the middle of their parents’ enduring battles. These children are often prevented from or encouraged not to have contact with their non residential parent. The term parental alienation is used to describe this phenomenon. A qualitative study focusing on the personal experiences of South African fathers who seem to be victims of parental alienation, will be examined and discussed from the perspective of systems theory. / Psychology / M.A. ( Psychology)

A família sofreu, no século passado, séc. XX diversas mudanças. As próprias relações mudaram: industrialização e urbanização aceleradas, emancipação da mulher, duas Guerras Mundiais que alavancaram o tema dos direitos humanos, com evidente repercussão nos direitos da personalidade. Tudo isso alterou o perfil da família e das relações que ocorrem em seu seio. Na verdade, estabeleceu-se uma perspectiva limitadora do poder em geral, da ascendência sobre outrem, inclusive no âmbito do pátrio poder, hoje poder familiar. Sem embargo disso, passada a euforia inicial, é hora de buscar caminhos para a plena efetivação desses direitos. Isso dependerá, em grande medida, da própria interpretação judicial, já que na decisão jurisdicional o ordenamento convertido numa fórmula específica para a solução daquela lide atinge o seu ápice. Se a afetividade e a grita por justiça e ética nas relações familiares é inafastável, mais do que isso, é louvável, porque consagra a dignidade da pessoa humana, por outro lado, a ideologia e a patrulha moral em temas existenciais devem ser evitadas. Ativismo judicial não se confunde com invasividade. A intrujice do Estado na família pela função legislativa, executiva ou judiciária deve incentivar um repensar das próprias expectativas que os operadores do Direito, sobretudo do Direito de Família, possuem a respeito do potencial transformativo de seus saberes. Assim, sempre buscando o justo termo, a dissertação examina as hipóteses de intervenção judicial no exercício abusivo do poder familiar, tanto na dimensão patrimonial quanto na dimensão existencial. Na primeira, analisa-se a administração dos bens dos filhos, o usufruto que, por lei, lhe é correlato e sua interpretação à luz do princípio do melhor interesse da criança e do adolescente. Na segunda, o objeto da investigação é o ponto ótimo de equilíbrio entre a intervenção que concretiza os direitos e a intervenção invasiva, errônea. Surgem ponderações sobre a ideologia e sua influência na exegese judicial, em temas como alienação parental e abandono afetivo que habitam o novo léxico deste Direito de Família sequioso de substância o qual, entretanto, não pode abdicar de uma postura autocrítica sob pena de manietar as próprias possibilidades de realização pessoal que alega defender. / Family underwent several changes in the last century, the twentieth century. The very relationships did change: accelerated (rapid) industrialization and urbanization, women´s emancipation, two World Wars, levered the human rights subject, with obvious repercussion on the rights of personality. All of that has modified family profile and the relationships that occur within its core. Actually, in general, a limiting perspective of power was established on the ascendancy over the other, inclusively in the extent of parental power, currently said family, or parental authority. With no embargo of this, after leaving behind the initial euphoria, now is the moment to look for ways towards the thorough accomplishment of these rights. This will depend, largely, on the judicial interpretation, for in the jurisdictional decision converted into a specific formula aimed at the solution of that dispute, it reaches its climax. If, on one hand, affectivity and the outcry for justice and ethics within family relationships cannot be set apart, and, more than that, they are praiseworthy - for they consecrate dignity of the individual - on the other hand, when it comes to existential matters, ideology and moral patrolling ought to be avoided. Judicial activism does not confound with invasiveness. State intrusion on family through legislative, or executive, or judiciary activity, should encourage a review of the very expectations that Law operating professionals have particularly those in the Family Law field regarding the transformational potential of their knowledge. Therefore, looking always for the right boundary, the dissertation investigates the hypotheses for judicial intervening in abusive family authority, considering not only property dimension, but also the existential. On the first we analyze the administration of assets of sons, the usufruct that by force of law correlates to it, and its interpretation in the light of best interest for child and adolescent. On the second, the object of our investigation is the optimal balance point between intervention that makes rights concrete, and the invasive, erroneous interference. We ponder over ideology and its influence on the judicial exegesis, in subjects such as parental alienation and affective abandonment, which dwell in this Family Law new lexicon, avid for substance, but which, however, cannot waive from a self-criticism posture, under penalty of handcuffing the very own possibilities of personal fulfillment it alleges to defend.

R??sum?? : Le pr??sent essai doctoral vise ?? d??finir les facteurs de risque ou de protection de l???engagement paternel chez les p??res ayant eu recours ?? la m??diation ordonn??e (Mo) et ?? l???expertise psychosociale (Exp). L?????tude de 222 dossiers l??gaux et la r??alisation de 22 entrevues repose sur une approche exploratoire dont les donn??es quantitatives et qualitatives ont ??t?? recueillies de fa??on ponctuelle (entrevues) et en r??trospective (analyse des dossiers). Cet essai pr??sente ?? notre connaissance des donn??es originales. L'analyse des tendances d??mographiques nomm??e ?? analyse populationnelle dynamique ?? et les donn??es qui en sont issues sont appel??es ?? donn??es populationnelles ??. Elles tracent un portrait des p??res qui tient compte du contexte social dans lequel ils ??voluent et situent les ??chantillons sur la courbe normale ou selon le crit??re ??valu??. Cette m??thode d'analyse soutient avantageusement le mod??le ??cologique de Bronfenbrenner (1979). Les r??sultats indiquent qu???au-del?? des proc??dures de cour, le facteur de risque le plus important ?? l???engagement paternel est la difficile communication avec l???ex-conjointe appel??e ?? communication d??gradant le lien parental ?? dont les deux piliers sont la d??pr??ciation et l'obstruction. Le conflit qui oppose les parents est de longue dur??e et se prolonge parfois sur une d??cennie. Cette intensit?? de conflit discrimine le profil des p??res utilisant la m??diation ordonn??e de celui des p??res utilisant la m??diation volontaire. ?? ce conflit sont associ??s des co??ts psychologiques chez les p??res et leur famille, mais ??galement des co??ts financiers attribuables ?? la longueur des proc??dures de cour. Ces co??ts constituent ??galement un facteur de risque tout comme les caract??ristiques des couples pr??sentant des ??carts d?????ge, de valeurs et de culture. Les recommandations de l???expertise et les ententes de la m??diation ordonn??e ont un effet de courte dur??e sur le conflit qui oppose les parents. Les p??res per??oivent l???expertise comme un facteur de protection de leur engagement, car leur capacit?? parentale y est reconnue et les recommandations que contiennent les expertises influencent les d??cisions de la cour. La capacit?? des p??res ?? valoriser leur r??le parental et les strat??gies utilis??es pour contrer une communication d??nigrante sont ??galement des facteurs de protection. De ces constats se d??gage une s??rie de recommandations visant tant la recherche que les interventions cliniques. // Abstract : This doctoral essay seeks to define the risk or protective factors of paternal involvement among fathers who have recourse to court-ordered mediation (Mo) and custody assessment (Exp). An examination of 222 legal cases and the 22 interviews which were conducted is based on an approach that is exploratory (both quantitative and qualitative), case-by-case (interviews) and retrospective (case-file analysis), which to our knowledge is innovative in many ways. The analysis of demographic trends called "population-based dynamic analysis", while the data derived from it are called "population-based data". They paint a portrait of fathers that takes into account the social context in which they find themselves and place the samples on a normal curve or in accordance with the criterion being evaluated. This method of analysis favorably supports Bronfenbrenner???s ecological model (1979). The results indicate that beyond court procedures, the most significant paternal-involvement risk factor is difficult communication with the ex-wife, called "communication detrimental to the parental relationship", which is based on two major pillars: depreciation and obstruction. These pillars present a conceptual affinity with parental alienation, negative co-parenting and restrictive gatekeeping. The conflict between the parents is long-lasting, sometimes extending over a decade. This conflict intensity distinguishes the profiles of fathers using court-ordered mediation from those using voluntary mediation. Psychological and financial costs for the fathers and their family associated with the length of court procedures constitute a risk factor as well, as do the characteristics of couples of differing ages, values and cultures. Court custody assessments and court-ordered mediation have a short-term effect on parental conflict. However, fathers perceived court custody assessments as a protective factor for their paternal involvement because their parenting ability is thus recognized and recommendations contained in the assessments influence court decisions. The ability of fathers to enhance their parenting role and the strategies they use to counter derogatory communications are also protective factors. These findings result in a series of recommendations aimed both at research and clinical interventions.

R??sum?? : Le pr??sent essai doctoral vise ?? d??finir les facteurs de risque ou de protection de l???engagement paternel chez les p??res ayant eu recours ?? la m??diation ordonn??e (Mo) et ?? l???expertise psychosociale (Exp). L?????tude de 222 dossiers l??gaux et la r??alisation de 22 entrevues repose sur une approche exploratoire dont les donn??es quantitatives et qualitatives ont ??t?? recueillies de fa??on ponctuelle (entrevues) et en r??trospective (analyse des dossiers). Cet essai pr??sente ?? notre connaissance des donn??es originales. L'analyse des tendances d??mographiques nomm??e ?? analyse populationnelle dynamique ?? et les donn??es qui en sont issues sont appel??es ?? donn??es populationnelles ??. Elles tracent un portrait des p??res qui tient compte du contexte social dans lequel ils ??voluent et situent les ??chantillons sur la courbe normale ou selon le crit??re ??valu??. Cette m??thode d'analyse soutient avantageusement le mod??le ??cologique de Bronfenbrenner (1979). Les r??sultats indiquent qu???au-del?? des proc??dures de cour, le facteur de risque le plus important ?? l???engagement paternel est la difficile communication avec l???ex-conjointe appel??e ?? communication d??gradant le lien parental ?? dont les deux piliers sont la d??pr??ciation et l'obstruction. Le conflit qui oppose les parents est de longue dur??e et se prolonge parfois sur une d??cennie. Cette intensit?? de conflit discrimine le profil des p??res utilisant la m??diation ordonn??e de celui des p??res utilisant la m??diation volontaire. ?? ce conflit sont associ??s des co??ts psychologiques chez les p??res et leur famille, mais ??galement des co??ts financiers attribuables ?? la longueur des proc??dures de cour. Ces co??ts constituent ??galement un facteur de risque tout comme les caract??ristiques des couples pr??sentant des ??carts d?????ge, de valeurs et de culture. Les recommandations de l???expertise et les ententes de la m??diation ordonn??e ont un effet de courte dur??e sur le conflit qui oppose les parents. Les p??res per??oivent l???expertise comme un facteur de protection de leur engagement, car leur capacit?? parentale y est reconnue et les recommandations que contiennent les expertises influencent les d??cisions de la cour. La capacit?? des p??res ?? valoriser leur r??le parental et les strat??gies utilis??es pour contrer une communication d??nigrante sont ??galement des facteurs de protection. De ces constats se d??gage une s??rie de recommandations visant tant la recherche que les interventions cliniques. // Abstract : This doctoral essay seeks to define the risk or protective factors of paternal involvement among fathers who have recourse to court-ordered mediation (Mo) and custody assessment (Exp). An examination of 222 legal cases and the 22 interviews which were conducted is based on an approach that is exploratory (both quantitative and qualitative), case-by-case (interviews) and retrospective (case-file analysis), which to our knowledge is innovative in many ways. The analysis of demographic trends called "population-based dynamic analysis", while the data derived from it are called "population-based data". They paint a portrait of fathers that takes into account the social context in which they find themselves and place the samples on a normal curve or in accordance with the criterion being evaluated. This method of analysis favorably supports Bronfenbrenner???s ecological model (1979). The results indicate that beyond court procedures, the most significant paternal-involvement risk factor is difficult communication with the ex-wife, called "communication detrimental to the parental relationship", which is based on two major pillars: depreciation and obstruction. These pillars present a conceptual affinity with parental alienation, negative co-parenting and restrictive gatekeeping. The conflict between the parents is long-lasting, sometimes extending over a decade. This conflict intensity distinguishes the profiles of fathers using court-ordered mediation from those using voluntary mediation. Psychological and financial costs for the fathers and their family associated with the length of court procedures constitute a risk factor as well, as do the characteristics of couples of differing ages, values and cultures. Court custody assessments and court-ordered mediation have a short-term effect on parental conflict. However, fathers perceived court custody assessments as a protective factor for their paternal involvement because their parenting ability is thus recognized and recommendations contained in the assessments influence court decisions. The ability of fathers to enhance their parenting role and the strategies they use to counter derogatory communications are also protective factors. These findings result in a series of recommendations aimed both at research and clinical interventions.

A família sofreu, no século passado, séc. XX diversas mudanças. As próprias relações mudaram: industrialização e urbanização aceleradas, emancipação da mulher, duas Guerras Mundiais que alavancaram o tema dos direitos humanos, com evidente repercussão nos direitos da personalidade. Tudo isso alterou o perfil da família e das relações que ocorrem em seu seio. Na verdade, estabeleceu-se uma perspectiva limitadora do poder em geral, da ascendência sobre outrem, inclusive no âmbito do pátrio poder, hoje poder familiar. Sem embargo disso, passada a euforia inicial, é hora de buscar caminhos para a plena efetivação desses direitos. Isso dependerá, em grande medida, da própria interpretação judicial, já que na decisão jurisdicional o ordenamento convertido numa fórmula específica para a solução daquela lide atinge o seu ápice. Se a afetividade e a grita por justiça e ética nas relações familiares é inafastável, mais do que isso, é louvável, porque consagra a dignidade da pessoa humana, por outro lado, a ideologia e a patrulha moral em temas existenciais devem ser evitadas. Ativismo judicial não se confunde com invasividade. A intrujice do Estado na família pela função legislativa, executiva ou judiciária deve incentivar um repensar das próprias expectativas que os operadores do Direito, sobretudo do Direito de Família, possuem a respeito do potencial transformativo de seus saberes. Assim, sempre buscando o justo termo, a dissertação examina as hipóteses de intervenção judicial no exercício abusivo do poder familiar, tanto na dimensão patrimonial quanto na dimensão existencial. Na primeira, analisa-se a administração dos bens dos filhos, o usufruto que, por lei, lhe é correlato e sua interpretação à luz do princípio do melhor interesse da criança e do adolescente. Na segunda, o objeto da investigação é o ponto ótimo de equilíbrio entre a intervenção que concretiza os direitos e a intervenção invasiva, errônea. Surgem ponderações sobre a ideologia e sua influência na exegese judicial, em temas como alienação parental e abandono afetivo que habitam o novo léxico deste Direito de Família sequioso de substância o qual, entretanto, não pode abdicar de uma postura autocrítica sob pena de manietar as próprias possibilidades de realização pessoal que alega defender. / Family underwent several changes in the last century, the twentieth century. The very relationships did change: accelerated (rapid) industrialization and urbanization, women´s emancipation, two World Wars, levered the human rights subject, with obvious repercussion on the rights of personality. All of that has modified family profile and the relationships that occur within its core. Actually, in general, a limiting perspective of power was established on the ascendancy over the other, inclusively in the extent of parental power, currently said family, or parental authority. With no embargo of this, after leaving behind the initial euphoria, now is the moment to look for ways towards the thorough accomplishment of these rights. This will depend, largely, on the judicial interpretation, for in the jurisdictional decision converted into a specific formula aimed at the solution of that dispute, it reaches its climax. If, on one hand, affectivity and the outcry for justice and ethics within family relationships cannot be set apart, and, more than that, they are praiseworthy - for they consecrate dignity of the individual - on the other hand, when it comes to existential matters, ideology and moral patrolling ought to be avoided. Judicial activism does not confound with invasiveness. State intrusion on family through legislative, or executive, or judiciary activity, should encourage a review of the very expectations that Law operating professionals have particularly those in the Family Law field regarding the transformational potential of their knowledge. Therefore, looking always for the right boundary, the dissertation investigates the hypotheses for judicial intervening in abusive family authority, considering not only property dimension, but also the existential. On the first we analyze the administration of assets of sons, the usufruct that by force of law correlates to it, and its interpretation in the light of best interest for child and adolescent. On the second, the object of our investigation is the optimal balance point between intervention that makes rights concrete, and the invasive, erroneous interference. We ponder over ideology and its influence on the judicial exegesis, in subjects such as parental alienation and affective abandonment, which dwell in this Family Law new lexicon, avid for substance, but which, however, cannot waive from a self-criticism posture, under penalty of handcuffing the very own possibilities of personal fulfillment it alleges to defend.

During the past few decades there has been a breakdown in the commitment to long term relationships, with no fault divorce laws making it easier for couples to obtain a divorce resulting in increase in divorce rates. Research has shown that in acrimonious divorces with high levels of conflict children often get caught in the middle of their parents’ enduring battles. These children are often prevented from or encouraged not to have contact with their non residential parent. The term parental alienation is used to describe this phenomenon. A qualitative study focusing on the personal experiences of South African fathers who seem to be victims of parental alienation, will be examined and discussed from the perspective of systems theory. / Psychology / M.A. ( Psychology)