In recent years, the concept of parental alienation (PA) has become one of the most contested issues in family law and child psychology. Few clinicians illustrate this controversy more clearly than Dr. Christine Cocchiola, whose public commentary increasingly frames PA not as a child-centered relational pathology, but as a litigation tactic used by abusive fathers.

This framing is not neutral. It has consequences — especially for children.

The problem with the “protective parent” framework

Dr. Cocchiola frequently employs the term protective parent to describe parents — overwhelmingly mothers — who restrict or eliminate a child’s relationship with the other parent. In theory, this language is meant to center child safety. In practice, it often functions as a semantic shield.

When a parent is labeled “protective,” their behavior is presumed benevolent by definition. Motive is assumed. Evidence becomes secondary.

This is a serious problem in cases where:

In these cases, protection becomes indistinguishable from........

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