Parental Alienation is a whole set of actions, with or without conscientiousness, intended to destroy the image and affection of one of the parents with their children, with the goal to separate them as far as possible. This process results in most cases in irreversible damage on the relation that was positive between the children and the targeted parent.
These acts are not exclusive of a mother or a father and they may be iniciated by another close relative, a friend or someone that may have a close relation with the child, but the most common is that the alienating is done by one or both of the parents, most frequently the mother.
Regardless of the reasons that trigger this whole process, the ignition point is usually preceded by a divorce - the first phase of physical withdrawal - Although there are often indications, premeditated or circumstantial acts, even when the family was in an apparently normal state.
The "mission" may be initiated as early as the divorce proceedings, usually litigious for that purpose, even if it becomes an agreement at the first hearing.
Existing prejudices of the society, which naturally extend to the realm of the courts, that the mother figure is the reference of the child, essential in the development and monitoring this, the father's role becomes secondary, dispensable and sometimes even questionable about their ability in child care.
At this point the problems begin to show:
By default and without an agreement for shared or alternate custody, the main guardian role is assigned to the mother, except for few situations in which there is an inability of the mother to care for the children and for the expected fulfillment of parental duties, including allowing the normal relationship of the children with the other parent.