Did Alex Jones' Parental Alienation Cause Him to Lose His Custody Battle?

In April 2017,  we learned about Alex Jones and his custody battle with his ex-wife, and as of two months ago, it appears there are still issues between the two parents. Times have been hard on the famous fringe entertainment personality. Over the past few months, he has been blasted with several lawsuits that have come up due to his unique way of passionately expressing and confusing the general public. The confusion has been attributed to how each of his opinions are regularly "masquerading as a fact", according to Jones' defense lawyer. He has even gone so far as to say that his "politics are authentic and what he really believes", according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Now, all of these legal issues are adding insult to injury for him, because only a few months ago he and ex-wife, Kelly Jones, were in a somewhat publicized battle about who was the better parent. Despite his many harsh attacks upon her mental state, she won, and the court has ordered for her to be the primary residence for their three kids. Some would argue that Alex has been in so much hot water because he brought it all upon himself, and that it is no wonder he lost custody because of his conspiracy broadcasts. The truth is, the jury was adamant about focusing on the well-being of the children.

The decision for the children to be with their mother was not based on his Infowars antics. Instead, the issue was more about abuse that occurred prior to their divorce and then the alleged "parental alienation" against Kelly by Alex while the kids were in his custody. During trial, Kelly's lawyer explained that the severe alienation that Alex imposed is actually, in fact, child abuse. This could be why the children were taken from Alex's custody and given to Kelly.

About Parental Alienation Syndrome

Too often, children are caught in the middle of visits back-and-forth between two parents who have nothing good to say about the other. Sadly, there are instances where a parent must rightfully protect the children from their other parent. However, parental alienation is neither of those cases. Parental alienation is more severe in that it reaches a point where one parent manipulates the kids, limits visits with their other parent, and devises an unrealistic and very negative characterization of this "bad" parent that is blown out of proportion and repeatedly imposed upon the kids. Parental alienation is a psychological term from the 80s for when there is no viable reason for such hatred and disgust from the kids, except that the opposing parent hoarded the kids and relentlessly groomed them with hate-mongering to the point where they are practically brainwashed into rejecting the other parent.

Psychologically Speaking

There are a few arguments regarding parental alienation, but for the most part, it is considered a real problem. There was a 98% agreement at the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts' 2014 conference "in support of the basic tenet of parental alienation", which is the notion that parents harming the children if they are denying them to have a relationship with their both parents if it is beneficial. Parental alienation is considered abuse due to cruel and unusual treatment that "undermines social justice for children."

Common elements of parental alienation:

• Not surprisingly, self-absorption to the point of narcissism and borderline tendencies are often apparent in the alienating parent as well as an inability to soothe oneself in a healthy manner.
• Power battles where vindictive lies are told to the children to use them as pawns to hurt the other parent.
• Many accusations are actually projections of the alienating parent.
• The alienating parent tends to engage in "splitting" with efforts to grow support for their side versus the other, to the point of deprivation of the other parent.

There is a major stipulation to all of this, however. It is dangerous to instantly assume that just because a child doesn't want to see their parent that they were victims of alienating parent syndrome. If the parent is preventing the child from seeing the other parent because the other parent is, in fact, harmful to the children (based on realistic and unbiased standards), then it is important that the support goes in favor of the protective parent. This is particularly important when the family is involved in a court case.

Legally Speaking

There are no ifs, ands, or buts regarding if parental alienation could harm the children, but there are many caveats that can make a case around this quite messy very quickly. Furthermore, there is a pattern of implicit judicial bias when it comes to certain parties, especially when domestic violence has come into the picture. A Canadian study, Parental Alienation Empirical Analysis: Child Best Interests or Parental Rights?, has expressed that the legal system needs a better understanding about why certain symptoms are occurring rather than hastily resorting to decisions based on presumptuous checklists where symptoms are too loose. As many parents might know (at least for a moment after they told their child, "no"), a child could reject a parent for a variety of reasons other than parental alienation.

If you are trying to find your way through a custody battle, it is vital to have a knowledgeable and dedicated family lawyer on your side. If parental alienation has kept you away from your children, it is even more important that your lawyer represent you and help you make your case. Many lawyers offer complimentary consultations, and they can help you determine the best strategy for a successful outcome and then follow through. Find the right lawyer for you now so that you and your children can move forward with your lives together in the best possible way.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/politics/alex-joness-attorneys-defamation-suit-argue-no-reasonable-person-believe-says/
https://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/verdict-wife-alex-jones-wins-joint-custody-after-bitter-trial/gsbA2MrX3pSmoEsexz7oeL/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/resolution-not-conflict/201802/parental-alienation-syndrome-what-is-it-and-who-does-it
http://www.fredacentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Parental-Alienation-Linda-Neilson.pdf