Poland's Divorcing Parents Face Shared Custody and Alienation Challenges

Divorcing parents in Poland often struggle with shared‑custody arrangements, which can unintentionally harm children. Psychotherapist Dr. Kamila Lenkiewicz notes that alternating residence may lead to logistical difficulties, disrupted routines, and a lack of a stable sense of home for the child. While a 30‑70% split is common, the model can also create stress when children must move between two households, schools, and social circles.

A related issue is parental alienation, where one parent systematically undermines the child's relationship with the other. Subtle behaviors—negative comments, selective silence, or disparaging remarks—can accumulate, causing children to reject the alienated parent. This strain can manifest as concentration problems, emotional volatility, somatic symptoms, and long‑term relational difficulties, potentially leading to risky behaviours in adolescence.