ditional research. "There is no hard evidence that mediation is the preferred solution to any given custody dispute, that a party's position will be heard any more objectively or accurately than it might be in court, or that children whose parents mediate a custody dispute do any better in the long run than children whose parents litigate." (Herman, 1990, p. 60) Parental Alienation Syndrome and Custody Disputes
             The foregoing section reviewed the historical context of mediation in child custody disputes and some of the research findings, both pro and con, relative to the suitability of mediation in custody cases. There are concerns that mediation may not work to the advantage of everyone concerned in all cases of contested custody. "In most divorce cases where there is animosity and conflict between the parents, there is some degree of brainwashing and programming {of children.}" (Clawar & Rivlin, 1991). One of the situations that presents significant challenges for mediators, as well as court officials, is the phenomenon referred to as Parental Alienati
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