When children reject contact with a parent: response to Lubit, 2019

Abstract

Lubit’s article (2019) critiqued forensic child custody evaluators who interpreted the facts of the custody case through the lens of 'parental alienation' and then concluded that ‘parental alienation’ was the reason for the child's rejection of contact with a parent. By contrast, Lubit showed that children reject contact for many different and legitimate reasons. Drawing on this author's experience as a child's attorney in family court, this commentary endorses Lubit's argument and expands it to conclude that the appointment of a child’s attorney charged with listening to what children have to say is key to understanding, and addressing, the actual reasons why children resist or reject contact with a parent.