Richard Warshak: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
Line 1:
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{POVUse mdy dates|date=JuneApril 20192020}}
{{advert|date=June 2019}}
}}
{{Infobox scientist
Line 55 ⟶ 53:
| footnotes =
}}
'''Richard A. Warshak''' (born December 18, 1949) is an American clinical and research psychologist and author. He is best known for his research and advocacy in the areas of [[child custody]], [[shared parenting]], and claims of [[parental alienation]] in the context of [[divorce]]. Warshak has written threetwo books, ''The Custody Revolution'',<ref>{{cite book |last1=Warshak, R.|first1=Richard A.Ades (|title=The custody revolution : the father factor and the motherhood mystique |date=1992.) ''The|publisher=Poseidon Custody Revolution''.Press |location=New York: Simon & Schuster.|isbn=9780671746940}}</ref> and ''Divorce Poison: Protecting the Parent-Child Bond From a Vindictive Ex'',<ref>{{cite book |last1=Warshak, R.|first1=Richard A.Ades (2002).|title=Divorce ''Divorcepoison Poison: Protectingprotecting the Parentparent-Childchild Bondbond from a Vindictivevindictive ex Ex''.|date=2001 |publisher=ReganBooks |location=New York: ReganBooks.|isbn=9780060188993 |edition=1st}}</ref> and the revisedupdated edition, ''Divorce Poison: How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing''.<ref name="Poison2">{{cite book |last1=Warshak, R.|first1=Richard A.Ades (2010). ''|title=Divorce Poisonpoison : Howhow to Protectprotect Youryour Familyfamily from Badbad-mouthing and Brainwashing''.brainwashing |date=2010 |publisher=Harper |location=New York: Harper|isbn=9780061863264 Collins|edition=[Rev.]}}</ref>
==Education==
Line 62 ⟶ 60:
==Research==
Warshak's research has focused on issues relating to child custody. His doctoral dissertation, ''The Effects of Father Custody and Mother Custody on Children's Personality Development'', compared children growing up in father-custody homes to children growing up in mother-custody homes.<ref>Warshak, R. A. (1978). ''The Effects of Father Custody and Mother Custody on Children’s Personality Development''. Doctoral dissertation, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas, TX.</ref> wasHe thelater firstcollaborated studywith toJohn directlySantrock compareon childrenthe growingTexas upCustody inResearch father-custodyProject homeson toa childrenseries growingof upstudies inon the effects of different mother-custody homesdispositions and stepfamilies.<ref name="Time 1980">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070630232750/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,924414,00.html Behavior: Woe Is One]. (1980, September 8).''Time'', ''116'' (10).</ref> He later collaborated with John Santrock on the Texas Custody Research Project on a series of studies on the effects of different custody dispositions and stepfamilies.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Warshak |first1=Richard A. |last2=Santrock |first2=John W. |title=The impact of divorce in father-custody and mother-custody homes: The child's perspective |journal=New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development |date=March 1983 |volume=1983 |issue=19 |pages=29–46 |doi=10.1002/cd.23219831905|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Warshak's subsequent research in this area has focused on remarriage, relocation, parenting plans for young children, the [[American Law Institute]]'s approximation rule and children's preferences in custody disputes.
Warshak's subsequent research in this area has focused on remarriage, relocation, parenting plans for young children, the [[American Law Institute]]'s approximation rule and children's preferences in custody disputes. His child custody studies have been cited in case law and legislation.<ref>Hague Conference on Private International Law, Permanent Bureau, Child Abduction/Protection of Children (2012). [http://www.hcch.net/upload/wop/abduct2012pd11e.pdf Preliminary Note On International Family Relocation], referring to Warshak, R. A. (2000). Social Science and Children's Best Interests in Relocation Cases: Burgess Revisited. ''Family Law Quarterly, 34 (1), 83-113'' as one of “three of the most cited articles” on relocation.</ref><ref>[http://www.warshak.com/alienation/pa-references/paslegal.html Parental Alienation Case Law]</ref><ref>German civil code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch –BGB), Palandt, C. H. Beck-Verlag, München 2006, 65th edition, Vol. 7, § 1684, Rd-Nr. 7, p. 1970 and 2007, 66th edition, Vol. 7, § 1684, Rd.-Nr. 7, p. 1975.</ref><ref>Eduskunta (Finnish Parliament). [http://www.eduskunta.fi/faktatmp/utatmp/akxtmp/kk_1255_2010_p.shtml Lapsen vieraannuttaminen etävanhemmastaan avioerotilanteessa]. {{dead link|date=February 2017}}</ref>
===Parental alienation===
In 2003, Warshak published an article that discussed the controversy about whether a child's alienation from a parent could be diagnosed as a syndrome and presented arguments both for and against the use of the term ''[[parental alienation syndrome]]''.<ref>Warshak, R. A. (2003). Bringing Sense to Parental Alienation: a Look at the Disputes and the Evidence. ''Family Law Quarterly, 37'', 273-301.</ref> His article about a program he helped develop, ''Family Bridges: Using Insights from Social Science to Reconnect Parents and Alienated Children'', led to a 2010 special issue of the Family Court Review dedicated to the controversy surrounding claims of parental alienation.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fidler |first1=Barbara Jo |last2=Bala |first2=Nicholas |title=Guest Editors' Introduction to Special Issue on Alienated Children in Divorce and Separation: Emerging Approaches for Families and Courts |journal=Family Court Review |date=January 2010 |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=6–9 |doi=10.1111/j.1744-1617.2009.01286.x}}</ref>
In 2010, Warshak's articles on ''Family Bridges: A Workshop for Troubled and Alienated Parent-Child Relationships'' were followed by discussion of the concept of [[parental alienation]] by mental health professionals .<ref>Fidler, B. J. & Bala, N. (2010). Guest Editors’ Introduction To Special Issue On Alienated Children In Divorce And Separation: Emerging Approaches For Families And Courts. ''Family Court Review, 48'' (1), 6-9. </ref> Warshak published an article that discussed the controversy about whether a child's alienation from a parent could be diagnosed as a syndrome and presented arguments both for and against the use of the term ''[[parental alienation syndrome]]''.<ref>Warshak, R. A. (2003). Bringing Sense to Parental Alienation: a Look at the Disputes and the Evidence. ''Family Law Quarterly, 37'', 273-301.</ref>
Warshak takes the position that a child's alienation from a parent may be the result of many causes, including the behavior of the rejected parent.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v name=S219PgIg2z8Poison2 In Focus: Divorce Poison (2010-02-19)]. PBS KNME-TV.</ref><ref>{{rp|61–63}} Warshak, supra note 3 at 61-62: "Relief from alienation requires an understanding of all the contributing factors.The child may have her own motives, the rejected parent may be responding in a rigid mannerasserts that reinforcescourts themust negative attitudes,rapidly and theeffectively favoredenforce parentorders may be actively or passively supporting the rupture of the parent-child relationship. In additionrelated to thechildren's actionscontact ofwith theboth parents and child.<ref>Pigg, sometimes the circumstances of the marriage and divorce play a key roleS." Warshak(2010, supraFebruary note9). 3 at 63[https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2010/02/09/tough_love_from_texas.html "TheTough searchLove forFrom the roots of alienation is not a quest to place blame but to find effective solutions to thisTexas]. tragicToronto problemStar."</ref>
Warshak asserts that the emotional and financial costs of severe alienation and the difficulties in repairing that damage make it important to identify children who are at risk and to educate judges. His educational video, ''Welcome Back, Pluto: Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Parental Alienation'', is directed at children, teens, and young adults who are alienated or at risk for becoming alienated.<ref>Levy, D. L., & Sauber, S. R. (2011). Review of the DVD Welcome Back, Pluto: Understanding, Preventing, and Overcoming Parental Alienation. ''The American Journal of Family Therapy, 39'', 77-85.</ref> In addition to education, Warshak asserts that courts must rapidly and effectively enforce orders related to children's contact with both parents.<ref>Pigg, S. (2010, February 9). [https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2010/02/09/tough_love_from_texas.html Tough Love From Texas]. Toronto Star.</ref>
===Consensus report on shared parenting===
In 2014 Warshak's article ''Social Science and Parenting Plans for Young Children: A Consensus Report'', was published by the [[ American Psychological Association]] in the journal [[Psychology, Public Policy, and Law]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Warshak |first1=Richard A. |title=Social science and parenting plans for young children: A consensus report |journal=Psychology, Public Policy, and Law |date=February 2014 |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=46-6746–67 |url=https://www.su.se/polopoly_fs/1.166729.1392279984!/menu/standard/file/Warshak-Social%20Science%20and%20Parenting%20Plans%20for%20Young%20Children%20final%20ms%20distribution%20copy.pdf|doi=10.1037/law0000005 }}</ref> The article summarized research on different child custody arrangements after divorce, recommending [[shared parenting]] in the vast majority of cases. Warshak's conclusions were endorsed by 110 other researchers and practitioners, many of whom held prominent academic and research positions.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nielsen |first1=Linda |title=Pop Goes the Woozle: Being Misled by Research on Child Custody and Parenting Plans |journal=Journal of Divorce & Remarriage |date=2 December 2015 |volume=56 |issue=8 |pages=595–633 |doi=10.1080/10502556.2015.1092349|s2cid=146201146 }}</ref>
==Positions and roles==
Line 80 ⟶ 78:
==Media==
Warshak has written several op-ed columns published in U.S. newspapers and online publications.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite news |last1=Warshak |first1=Richard A. |title=Making kids choose not wise in custody battles |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/sdut-custody-divorce-children-2016apr08-story.html |accessdate=21 January 2020 |publisherwork=San Diego Union Tribune |date=8 April 2016}}, {{cite web |title=Richard Warshak |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-warshak/ |website=Huffington Post |accessdate=21 January 2020}}</ref> He was one of the five initial contributors to the Child and Family Blog co-sponsored by [[Princeton University]], [[Brookings Institution]], [[University of Cambridge]], and the Jacobs Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Future of Children Launches Child and Family Blog |url=https://wws.princeton.edu/news-and-events/news/item/future-children-launches-child-and-family-blog |website=Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs |publisher=Princeton University |accessdate=21 January 2020|date=2014-07-18 }}</ref>
Warshak has been interviewed on television programs, including [[20/20 (U.S. TV series)|ABC 20/20]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sancho |first1=Miguel |last2=Cuomo |first2=Chris |title=Fighting for Liam: Michael McCarty Rails Against Italian Courts for Not Protecting Son |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/ChrisCuomo/fighting-liam-fathers-custody-battle-continues/story?id=9315571 |accessdate=21 January 2020 |agency=ABC News |date=10 September 2009}}</ref> and histhe [[PBS]] documentary TV Special, ''Kids & Divorce: For Better or Worse.''.<ref>{{cite press release |last=Kane |first=Erin |title=Kids & Divorce: For Better or Worse |url=https://kikim.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Kids-Divorce-Press-Release.pdf |publisher=Twin Cities Public Television and PBS |access-date=2020-02-12}}</ref> His work and opinions have been discussed in newspaper and magazine articles.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite news |last1=Arndt |first1=Bettina |title=Empty days, lonely nights |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/empty-days-lonely-nights-20140428-37e3e.html |accessdate=21 January 2020 |agency=The Age |date=28 April 2015|author-link=Bettina Arndt}}, {{cite news |last1=Rochmann |first1=Bonnie |title=The Schwarzenegger Kids: Coping with Parental Betrayal in the Public Eye |url=https://healthland.time.com/2011/05/19/the-schwarzenegger-kids-dealing-with-parental-betrayal-in-the-public-eye/ |accessdate=21 January 2020 |agency=Time |date=19 May 2011}}, {{cite news |last1=Paul |first1=Pamela |title=Joint Custody Blues |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,995006,00.html |accessdate=21 January 2020 |agency=Time |date=30 August 2004}}</ref>
==Controversy==
Warshak helped develop the Family Bridges workshop programs for children and rejected parents.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Warshak |first1=Richard A. |title=Family Bridges: Using Insights from Social Science to Reconnect Parents and Alienated Children |journal=Family Court Review |date=January 2010 |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=48–80 |doi=10.1111/j.1744-1617.2009.01288.x}}</ref> This type of program is controversial due to questions as to whether children should be forced to live with the rejected parent or be required to participate in any program or therapy predicated upon the belief that their rejection of a parent is unreasonable, or whether such mandates may be beneficial.<ref name=mercer>{{cite journal |last1=Mercer |first1=Jean |title=Examining Parental Alienation Treatments: Problems of Principles and Practices |journal=Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal |date=3 June 2019 |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=355–357 |doi=10.1007/s10560-019-00625-8|s2cid=254380668 }}</ref>
In the past Warshak led Family Bridges workshops for alienated children and their parents and now studies the outcome of this program. Some professionals argue that children should not be forced to live with the rejected parent or be court ordered to participate in any program or therapy aimed at rebuilding their relationship with the rejected parent. Other professionals maintain that such requirements are both necessary and beneficial.<ref>Fidler, B. J. & Bala, N. (2010). [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-1617.2009.01287.x Children Resisting Postseparation Contact with a Parent: Concepts, Controversies, and Conundrums] ''Family Court Review'' P. 25.</ref> A few children who participated in such programs have complained about the experience.<ref name=bundy>{{cite news |last1=Bundy |first1=Trey |title=Bitter custody |url=https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/bitter-custody/ |accessdate=12 March 2019 |agency=Reveal |publisher=The Center for Investigative Reporting |date=9 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=tabachnick>{{cite news |last1=Tabachnick |first1=Cara |title=They were taken from their mom to rebond with their dad. It didn't go well |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/a-divorced-father-his-estranged-kids-and-a-controversial-program-to-bring-them-together/2017/05/09/b50ac6f6-204c-11e7-ad74-3a742a6e93a7_story.html |accessdate=11 March 2019 |agency=Washington Post |date=11 May 2017}}</ref> But according to a 2018 peer-reviewed study authored by Warshak, most workshop leaders, parents and children in the Family Bridges program reported positive experiences.<ref>Warshak, R. A. (2018). [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10502556.2018.1529505 Reclaiming Parent–Child Relationships: Outcomes of Family Bridges with Alienated Children.] ''Journal of Divorce & Remarriage''. Five different measures completed by the children affirmed that most of the children had positive feelings about the experience and about the workshop leaders. But 8% of the children rated the workshop as “poor,” whereas 75% of the parents who participated in the workshop rated it as “excellent” and 25% rated it as “good.”</ref>▼
<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-1617.2009.01287.x | doi=10.1111/j.1744-1617.2009.01287.x | title=Children Resisting Postseparation Contact with a Parent: Concepts, Controversies, and Conundrums | year=2010 | last1=Fidler | first1=Barbara Jo | last2=Bala | first2=Nicholas | journal=Family Court Review | volume=48 | pages=10–47 }}</ref>
▲In the past Warshak led Family Bridges workshops for alienated children and their parents and now studies the outcome of this program. Some professionals argue that children shouldwho notparticipated beprograms forced to liveassociated with the rejected parent or be court ordered to participate in any program or therapy aimed at rebuilding their relationship with the rejected parent. Other professionals maintain that such requirements are both necessary and beneficial.<ref>Fidler, B. J. & Bala, N. (2010). [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1744-1617.2009.01287.x Children Resisting Postseparation Contact with a Parent: Concepts, Controversies, and Conundrums] ''Family Court Review'' P. 25.</ref> A few children who participated in such programsWarshak have complained about the experience.<ref name=bundy>{{cite news |last1=Bundy |first1=Trey |title=Bitter custody |url=https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/bitter-custody/ |accessdate=12 March 2019 |agency=Reveal |publisher=The Center for Investigative Reporting |date=9 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=tabachnick>{{cite news |last1=Tabachnick |first1=Cara |title=They were taken from their mom to rebond with their dad. It didn't go well |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/a-divorced-father-his-estranged-kids-and-a-controversial-program-to-bring-them-together/2017/05/09/b50ac6f6-204c-11e7-ad74-3a742a6e93a7_story.html |accessdate=11 March 2019 |agency=Washington Post |date=11 May 2017}}</ref> But accordingAccording to a 2018 peer-reviewed study authored by Warshak, most workshop leaders, parents and children in the Family Bridges program reported positive experiences.<ref>Warshak,{{cite R.journal A.| (2018). [url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10502556.2018.1529505 | doi=10.1080/10502556.2018.1529505 | title=Reclaiming Parent–Child Relationships: Outcomes of Family Bridges with Alienated Children | year=2019 | last1=Warshak | first1=Richard A.] ''| journal=Journal of Divorce & Remarriage | volume=60 | issue=8 | pages=645–667 | s2cid=149812670 }}</ref> Warshak''.s Fiveconclusions differenthave measuresbeen completedcalled byinto thequestion childrenbased affirmedupon thathis mostnot ofbeing a neutral observer, the childrenstudy's hadlack positiveof feelingsfollow-up,<ref>{{cite aboutnews the|last1=Hagerty experience|first1=Barbara andBradley about|title=Can theChildren workshopBe leaders.Persuaded to ButLove 8%a ofParent theThey childrenHate? rated|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/12/when-a-child-is-a-weapon/616931/ the|access-date=18 workshopMay as2022 “poor,”|work=The whereasAtlantic 75%|date=24 ofNovember the2020 parents|language=en}}</ref> whohis participatedclaimed inevidentiary basis for the workshopFamily ratedBridges itprogram, asand “excellent”his reliance upon before-and-after 25%studies ratedinstead itof ascontrolled “goodstudies.”</ref name=mercer />
==Selected publications==
Line 91 ⟶ 92:
===Books===
* ''The Custody Revolution''. (1992). NY: Simon & Schuster.
* ''Divorce Poison: Protecting the Parent-Child Bond from a Vindictive Ex''. (2002). NY: Harper CollinsHarperCollins. Hardcover, paperback, Kindle and other e-book editions.
* ''Divorce Poison: How to Protect the Parent-Child Bond from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing''. (2010). NY: Harper CollinsHarperCollins.
===Selected Articlesarticles===
* Santrock, J. W. & Warshak, R. A. (1979). Father custody and social development in boys and girls. ''Journal of Social Issues'', 35 (4), 112-125112–125.
* Santrock, J. W., Warshak, R. A. et al. (1982). Children’sChildren's and parents’ observed social behavior in stepfather families. ''Child Development'', 53 (2), 472-480472–480.
* Warshak, R. A. (1986). Father-custody and child development: A review and analysis of psychological research. ''Behavioral Sciences & the Law'', 4, 185-202185–202.
* Warshak, R. A. (2000). Social Science and Children’sChildren's Best Interests in Relocation Cases: Burgess Revisited. ''Family Law Quarterly, 34'' (1), 83-11383–113.
* Warshak, R. A. (2003). Bringing Sense to Parental Alienation: a Look at the Disputes and the Evidence. ''Family Law Quarterly, 37'', 273-301273–301.
* Warshak, R. A. (2011). Parenting by the Clock: The Best Interests of the Child Standard, Judicial Discretion, and The American Law Institute’sInstitute's “Approximation"Approximation Rule.”" "University of Baltimore Law Review, 41'' (1), 83-163.
* Warshak, R. A. (2013). In a Land Far, Far Away: Assessing Children’s Best Interests in International Relocation Cases. ''Journal of Child Custody, 10'', 295-324.
* Warshak, R. A., with the endorsement of 110 researchers and practitioners listed in the Appendix. (2014). Social Science and Parenting Plans for Young Children: A Consensus Report. ''[[Psychology, Public Policy, and Law]], 20'', 46-67.
* Warshak, R. A. (2015). Parental Alienation: Overview, Intervention, and Practice Tips. ''Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 27'', in press.
* Warshak, R. A. (2015). Ten Parental Alienation Fallacies that Compromise Decisions in Court and in Therapy. ''Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 46'' (4),235-249.
* Warshak, R.A. (2018) Night Shifts: Revisiting Blanket Restrictions on Children's Overnights with Separated Parents, Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 59, 282-323282–323.
* Warshak, R.A. (2019) When Evaluators Get It Wrong: False Positive IDs and Parental Alienation, Psychology, Public Policy & Law, on line first October, 2019.
===Selected Book chapters===
Line 124 ⟶ 125:
[[Category:University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center alumni]]
[[Category:University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center faculty]]
[[Category:21st-century American psychologists]]
[[Category:Psychological adjustment]]
[[Category:Psychological abuse]]
Line 130 ⟶ 131:
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Midwood High School alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American psychologists]]