Arguments for requesting a Parental Fitness Test

Within the framework of situations where the custody of a minor is at stake, there is the possibility of request a parental fitness test from a forensic psychologist.

This must prepare a legal report addressed to the judge, which expresses the aptitudes of the father/mother according to a series of psychometric tests and interviews that will be carried out. The forensic psychologist takes the place of a specialist who will clearly explain the conclusion reached after carrying out the evaluation, but has no major involvement in the judge's procedure.

• Related article: "Forensic Psychology: definition and functions of the forensic psychologist"

When is it necessary to request a parental fitness test?

However, it is not always necessary to carry out a parental fitness test. Your request is pertinent in those cases in which it is considered that one of the parents does not have the necessary skills and/or aptitudes for custody of the child or children. If this is the situation, a document must be created that brings together a set of solid arguments, collected by the environment of the person who is requests to be evaluated but also theoretically based, in which the suspicions that it is necessary for said process to materialize are exposed and analyzed proof. This document must be able to gather the relevant aspects that make it necessary

the assessment of parental competences to justify the request before the judge.

Next, we will develop what are some of the arguments by which it is possible to raise the need for a parental aptitude test.

1. The parent cannot ensure the hygiene and good nutrition of the children

Both hygiene and good nutrition are two basic needs and rights that all fathers and mothers must ensure their children. In addition, learning to have good personal hygiene or understanding the bases of a healthy diet are habits that the The parent should encourage children from an early age so that they gradually acquire greater independence in said tasks.

2. Repeatedly neglects the safety of children

In accordance with the previous element, the safety of children is essential for a healthy psychosocial development. When it comes to young children, parents should pay particular attention to supervising the physical place where they are. However, since many of the children have a mobile phone from an early age, care regarding their safety must transcend to the digital level; that is, to supervise with whom they maintain contact to prevent phenomena such as cyberbullying.

• You may be interested in: "Analysis of WhatsApp conversations to prove cases of violation"

3. Difficulties managing their own emotions

The criteria for requesting a parental fitness test also fall on the emotional competencies of the adult. This must be able to empathize with the children, trying not to be invalidating with their thoughts, emotions or feelings; rather, it must allow a space for parent-child dialogue to exist at home. Also, to promote listening places, he should communicate assertively, that is, clearly expressing his point of view without trying to impose his ideas on those of his children. For this, it is necessary for the father/mother to recognize their own emotions and avoid behaviors that could be harmful to your children, such as responding aggressively or acting impulsively.

4. Does not establish discipline guidelines

Discipline is not about imposing immovable regulations on children, but involves clearly explaining to them what are the appropriate and inappropriate habits for life in society. These must be established together with them, which means that both the children and the parent can discuss the reasons why certain norms are established by the adult, why he considers them important for social life, leading to a reassessment of them if necessary necessary. However, Do not make the mistake of letting children do what they want without restrictions.. If a parent does not set discipline guidelines or supervise their children, she could be an argument to request a parental fitness test before a judge.

5. Has difficulty adjusting expectations to children

The expectations of the father or the mother on the children must correspond to the particular developmental stage in which the child is. Each phase of cognitive development has its own problems and particularities before which the parent must adjust its demands.

• Related article: "The 4 educational styles: how do you educate your children?"

6. He has a disabling mental disorder

The fact of suffering from a mental disorder can be disabling as far as parenting is concerned, for which reason it could be an argument to request a parental competence test. In this case, the forensic psychologist would evaluate through psychometric tests the degree to which the father or mother scores in relation to a certain disorder. However, it is important to emphasize that the mental disorder must be disabling regarding parenting; that is, these problems by themselves do not preclude custody of the children.

It should be considered how the presence of the mental disorder incapacitates the parent to care for her children. Some disorders that could indicate difficulties when it comes to parenting are schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, some manifestations of borderline personality disorder obsessive-compulsive or Bipolar disorder.

7. Presence of addictions

In line with the previous argument, the presence of addictions It is a clear indicator of difficulties in exercising a parental role. These addictions are not limited to the problematic consumption of substances, such as alcohol, but also They may be gambling addictions or behaviors that express the inability of the father or mother to control their impulses. An addiction directly interferes with parenting, since it can lead the parent to neglect the children. The prevailing need to consume is capable of clouding her actions, as well as can lead them to show a aggressive or irritable attitude towards children if, if necessary, they interrupt the conduct to which their behavior is linked addiction.

8. Conflicts with children

Another possibility is that the child explicitly expresses the existence of a conflict with one of his parents. From this, and depending on the particularity of each case, it could be inferred if the conflict is related to a deficient way of carrying out the upbringing of the child by the parent or No.