Children’s Stalking in the Process of Parents Divorce: A Social Worker’s Perspective

Abstract

The high number of parents’ divorce cases in Lithuania encourages us to
think about the fate of children in families where parents divorce. The process of parents’ divorce is frequently associated with conflicts and disputes between parents regarding their children’s contact arrangements. In addition, parents have difficulty agreeing on child maintenance issues and often begin to “divide” their children. To impact their ex-partners, parents
manipulate their children, control their relationship with one parent, and try to gain their loyalty. Such parental behaviour in the parents’ divorce process reveals the stalking of children by their dads and moms. This article aims to show how parental stalking affects children’s quality of life and discusses the support provided by social workers to children and their
families going through parental divorce. This article analyses the results of qualitative research conducted in Lithuania, where six social workers took part.

The findings of the research reveal that in the process of parents’ divorce, parental stalking affects their child’s psychological balance, negative emotions, and disturbed rhythm of life and behaviour. Children become hostages in the process of conflict between two adults, lose their own way, and try to adapt to the parent who is most successful in manipulating their
child. Children who are stalked in the process of their parents’ divorce live a life of coercion, control, manipulation, alienation, and other stalking practices that affect their quality of life. Social workers provide complex support to children and their families experiencing their parents’ divorce. Social work professionals advocate for the best interests of the child and
protect their fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They also help parents to find the best solutions that respond their children’s needs