Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) National Practice Exam

Split filial loyalty is a phenomenon that occurs when a child feels torn between two parents, often leading them to favor one parent over the other due to the dynamics of their relationship. In the scenario where parents actively encourage or promote loyalty to one parent over the other, this situation creates a direct conflict for the child. It places the child in a position where they must choose which parent to align with, resulting in feelings of guilt, confusion, or emotional turmoil.

This imbalance in parental influence fosters a sense of divided loyalty, where the child may feel they are betraying one parent by showing allegiance to the other. This can have significant implications for the child's emotional well-being and their relationship with both parents. The dynamics of parental encouragement in this context are crucial, as they directly shape the child's experience of loyalty and attachment.

Other scenarios, such as children alternating between parents or avoiding contact with family, may involve challenges related to relationships, but they do not inherently create the same intense conflict concerning loyalty. Competitions among siblings for parental attention might lead to rivalry or jealousy but are distinct from the phenomena of split filial loyalty, which is specifically about the child's allegiance to parents in a divided context.