Neurobiological and evolutionary foundations of harm to parents and children through the intentional and unjustified severing of parent-child bond

The article examines the neurobiological and evolutionary foundations of the harm caused to parents and children by the intentional and unjustified severing of parent-child bonds (AUA-EB). A child’s rejection of one parent—often as a result of manipulation by the other parent—can have serious consequences for the child’s development. It is argued that AUA-EB is not merely a social construct, but a scientifically demonstrable disruption of fundamental attachment mechanisms. The article describes neurobiological changes in mothers and fathers that underscore the biological basis of parental caregiving. From an
evolutionary, developmental psychological, and neuroscientific perspective, it is shown that stable bonds with both parents are essential for healthy child development. AUA-EB is understood as an unnatural disruption of the attachment system, causing measurable harm to both children and alienated parents. Finally, the article advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to acknowledge and appropriately address the threat posed by AUA-EB.