Mediation in School as a Tool for Overcoming the Phenomenon of Parental Alienation towards the Father: Methodology and Challenges Introduction: School as a Neutral Territory in Family Conflict The phenomenon of parental alienation (PRA), or the Parental Alienation Syndrome (in international discourse – Parental Alienation, PA), represents a situation where a child, influenced by one of the parents (usually the one with whom they reside), unjustifiably rejects and demonstrates hostility towards the other parent. As a key social institution in a child's life, school is often involuntarily drawn into this conflict, becoming either a field for its escalation or – with a proper approach – a unique platform for its resolution. School mediation, adapted to the specifics of PRA, can become an effective tool for restoring communication, protecting the child's interests, and preventing the use of the educational system as a tool for pressuring the father. 1. Specificity of Parental Alienation towards the Father and the Role of the School PRA towards fathers is often exacerbated by gender stereotypes and established social practices. The mother, as the more commonly residing parent with the child, has greater opportunities to influence the child's daily perception and control over their communication. In this situation, school is at risk of becoming an agent unintentionally reinforcing alienation, through: Automatically perceiving the mother as the "main" contact. Unquestionably accepting information from one parent. Inaction when observing signs of PRA in a child (refusal to communicate with the father, demonstrative hostility, paradoxical accusations). Thus, school needs a special protocol of action where mediation is the central element. 2. The Model of School Mediation in PRA: Principles and Limitations Classical mediation, based on voluntariness and equality of the parties, requires modifications in the situation of acute PRA. Key principles: Priority of the child's inter ... Read more