Although the original proponent of Parental Alienation Syndrome, Richard Gardner, formulated the opinion that women were primarily the instigators of parental alienation and men the targets of the same, I do not believe I have seen sufficient evidence to regard that as true.  In fact, my experience has been that men are just as likely as women to use the children as weapons in a high-conflict divorce.

Just to show how PAS doesn’t only cross gender lines, but also lines of sexual preference, here is a case in which two same-sex partners were involved in a high-conflict battle over child custody.

“Background: Adoptive mother sued birth mother for custody and visitation of child adopted during same-sex relationship. The Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, No. 2005–10796, Division A–3, Herbert A. Cade, J., awarded sole custody to birth mother, and terminated visitation of adoptive mother. Adoptive mother appealed.”
 
Palazzolo v. Mire, 10 So.3d 748, 2008-0075 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1/7/09) (La.App. 4 Cir. Jan 07, 2009) (NO. 2008-CA-0075),