Children of divorced parents can often find themselves in uncomfortable situations, especially if the marriage did not end amicably.

To that end, the Alabama Family Rights Association is working to combat parental alienation through a relatively simple gesture. At noon Thursday, the group asks Alabamians to blow bubbles for 10 minutes in support of Parental Alienation Awareness.

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks signed a proclamation earlier this month marking this week as Parental Alienation Prevention Week and Thursday as Parental Alienation Awareness Day, also known as Bubbles for Love Day.

“Parental alienation is a term used to describe any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent, both parents or a third party designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their other parent,” according to a statement from the AFRA. “It’s a form of abuse that causes emotional trauma to children. … Children should be encouraged to freely love both parents regardless of their marital status.”

Alabama has one of the highest divorce rates in the country, according to a February report by U.S. News & World Report. Alabama was second only to Arkansas with a divorce rate of 15.15 divorced people per 1,000 married individuals.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey from the period of 2013-2017, 12.3 percent of Alabamians aged 15 and older were divorced. The same study found 2.4 percent were separated, while 30.4 percent never married. The survey found 47.8 percent of Alabamians reported being married.

Alienation and abuse

Parental alienation can arise from divorce, child custody situations and even within intact families. It is evidenced by the alienating behaviors of a person, such as a parent, family members, or as a result of the judicial system restricting the relationship between a child and a loving parent.

The AFRA also noted April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, which serves as a time to “emphasize that our children deserve the leadership of the adults (parents, leaders, community) around them to ensure their health, wellness and safety.”

The organization asked those who participate in Bubbles for Love Day to post their photos to social media using the hashtag #BubblesForLove.

For more information, visit http://www.alfra.org.