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Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day

06/14/2018

WHEREAS, strong family relationships are the foundation of our community; and

WHEREAS, alienation behaviors are frequently present in high-conflict divorces, separations, asymmetrical custody arrangements, and intact marriages, often causing mental and emotional anguish to children; and

WHEREAS, alienation describes a number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of a family member designed to interfere, damage, or destroy the relationships among family members, particularly children; and

WHEREAS, alienation is a form of abuse that causes emotional trauma; and

WHEREAS, mental health professionals agree that the negative effects of alienation during childhood can continue into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, Grandparent Alienation Awareness Day is intended to increase the knowledge and understanding of this problem to help families, the legal and mental health communities, and other leaders better identify and combat alienation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize June 14, 2018, as GRANDPARENT ALIENATION AWARENESS DAY in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.