As the 2024 International Men and Families Conference fast approaches, I find myself filled with anticipation and excitement for this marquee autumn event. Scheduled to take place from September 26th to 28th at the Holiday Inn Downtown Centre located at 30 Carlton Street in Toronto, Ontario, it promises to be an important gathering for a rainbow of professionals interested in exploring many subjects pertinent to the well-being of men and families. And although I myself am a Canadian citizen and a lifelong resident of the host city, I have no doubt that the diverse and cosmopolitan backdrop of downtown Toronto will only serve to enhance the experience for those attending the conference from out of the country, of which there are many. Indeed, counting the presenters alone, the nations of Australia, Portugal, Sweden, China, Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom will all be represented.
One of the highlights of this conference for me will be the opportunity to present alongside my esteemed colleague, Gene Colman. On the first day, from 10:10 to 11:30 AM in the Holiday Inn’s Rosedale Room, we will delve into a topic that is both sadly prevalent and incredibly complex: “Parents’ and Children’s Behaviours: Distinctions Between Parental Alienation and Justified Rejection/Resistance or Ambivalence.”
This session will give us a platform to dig into the nuanced dynamics of parental alienation, an issue that impacts a tremendous number of families, including those navigating high-conflict divorces. In our presentation, Gene and I will draw upon our wealth of experience in family law to dissect typical behaviours and motivations that can underlie parental alienation. We’ll also aim to clarify the distinction between genuine alienation and situations where a child’s rejection of a parent may be justified. By sharing our case studies and evidence-based insights, we hope to give audience members a deeper understanding of these unfortunate phenomena and suggest some practical strategies for addressing them. We will also be conducting a question-and-answer period after concluding our presentation.
Parental alienation is a topic I encounter frequently in the course of my work, and I’m enthused at the prospect of conversing with fellow conference attendees who share my passion for protecting the best interests of both parents and children. I’m sure that the discussions that arise from this session will inform my own legal practice and provide valuable insights to bring back to LudmerLaw.
Beyond the presentation Gene and I are scheduled to make, I’m also looking forward to taking in other portions of the conference. The diverse range of sessions, covering everything from cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving to the experiences of men made homeless by family violence, promises to broaden my understanding and further inform my approach to family law. The conference also offers a unique opportunity to network with professionals from around the globe, and I always look forward to hearing about issues I care about from different perspectives.
As September draws closer, Gene and I will continue to work hard on our presentation, firm in the knowledge that the 2024 Men and Families Conference offers us a chance to be part of a larger conversation about issues affecting men and families today. We’re both quite eager to share our insights, learn from others, and contribute to a community of professionals dedicated to fostering healthy, supportive environments for all families.