How Alienators use perspecticide

Perspecticide is a term used to describe the systematic undermining or erasure of an individual’s perspective, typically through psychological, social, or cultural means. It is a process by which a person’s understanding of themselves and the world around them is diminished or distorted by external factors, such as systemic discrimination, gaslighting, or trauma.

Perspecticide can occur on an individual level, such as in abusive relationships where one partner manipulates or invalidates the other’s feelings and experiences. It can also occur on a societal level, where certain groups of people are marginalized and their perspectives and experiences are dismissed or ignored.

The term was first coined in the context of feminism, to describe the ways in which patriarchal culture erodes women’s sense of self and limits their ability to understand and articulate their own experiences. However, it can be applied to a wide range of situations where individuals or groups are denied the right to their own perspectives and the agency to express them.

A parental alienator can use perspecticide in several ways to manipulate a child’s perceptions and emotions toward the other parent. Here are some ways that parental alienators use perspecticide:

1. Distorting the child’s perception of reality: Parental alienators can distort the child’s perception of reality by portraying the other parent as an unsafe or dangerous person. This can be done through lies, exaggerations, and half-truths, leading the child to believe that the other parent is a bad person who doesn’t care about them.
2. Dismissing the child’s feelings: Parental alienators can dismiss the child’s feelings about the other parent by telling them that they are wrong or that they don’t understand the situation. This can make the child feel like their emotions are not valid or that they are not allowed to have their own perspective.
3. Isolating the child: Parental alienators can isolate the child from the other parent by limiting their access to them, preventing them from communicating with them, or refusing to allow them to spend time with them. This can make the child feel like the other parent is not interested in them, leading them to distance themselves emotionally from that parent.
4. Controlling the child’s behavior: Parental alienators can control the child’s behavior by pressuring them to take sides or by rewarding them for complying with their wishes. This can create a situation where the child feels like they have to choose between their parents or risk losing the approval and affection of the alienating parent.

Overall, parental alienators can use perspecticide to manipulate the child’s perceptions and emotions toward the other parent, making it difficult for them to maintain a healthy relationship with that parent. It is important to recognize these tactics and take steps to address them to protect the child’s well-being and preserve their relationship with both parents.

©Linda Turner http://parentalalienationpas.com 2023