1-4 Children of Divorce Suffer from Parental Alienation Syndrome. 

Parental Alienation Syndrome affects 1 in 4 children says Mª Rosario Cortés Arboleda, a University of Grenada Professor and co author of Marital Conflicts, Divorce, and Children’s Development (or Conflictos Matrimoniales, Divorcio y Desarrollo de los Hijos (Piramide, 2004)).

PAS was originally defined by scientist Richard Gardner, of Columbia University, in the 1980's. It's the feelings of hatred or contempt in a child for the non custodial parent, inspired by the words and actions of the custodial parent.  It's a form of brainwashing by one parent against the other. The child's contempt and alienation usually extends to the parents close friends and other members of their family: anyone seen to represent the alienated parent.

PAS cues can be subtle remarks like, "If I told you about all the things [your father/mother] did to me…" or even making the child feel guilty for "abandoning" them during visitation with the other parent.

When PAS is discovered in a family Professor Arboleda says there's only one way to get rid of it: “the family must be provided with a family-mediation program for equal treatment of all members affected by this problem, which is increasingly more frequent.” Apparently, it's as resilient as lice, and more infectious.  The good news is that it's much easier to avoid.  Watch what you say around your children. Try to guard against inflammatory comments and encourage open an free communication with their other parent.  It's easier to be friendly than to undo the effects of PAS.

Source: www.huliq.com