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MA - Fathers' rights group looks for support
Fathers' rights group looks for support
BOSTON -- During this November election, voters in Somerset, Swansea and several other neighboring communities will be asked whether they support joint custody of children after divorce. According to local legislators, it will create a level playing field for fathers who typically lose custody of their children and are not valued as equal in the court system. Currently, the state typically awards custody to mothers and allows fathers to see their children only every other weekend and Wednesday evenings, unless a prior agreement is made between the separating couple. That's not enough, according to Dr. Ned Holstein, an internal family medicine physician and the president and founder of Fathers & Families, a nonprofit organization that advocates for a child's right for the love and care of both parents. Fathers and Families is seeking shared parenting responsibilities after divorce or separation, and for unmarried parents. "We want to protect children's rights," said Holstein. Sharing parental responsibility in a larger way is a "movement around the country" that is good for children, he said. The non-binding petition to appear on the ballot will basically ask voters their opinion and gauge support. It will not become law. Approximately 750,000 Massachusetts voters in 36 House districts and one Senate district will be asked their opinion. The question is the result of a statewide signature-gathering process by Fathers and Families. Locally, it will appear on the ballots in Somerset, Swansea, Dighton, Rehoboth, Taunton and Norton. It will not appear on the Fall River or Westport ballots. "As a result of losing a parent through divorce, children suffer two- to threefold increases in depression, suicide, school dropout, gang involvement, substance and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, physical and sexual abuse, and other serious problems," said Dr. Michael Lamb, head of the section of Social and Emotional Development at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Lamb has written that "instead of promoting parenting plans that marginalize one of the parents, custody evaluators should promote continued involvement of both parents." Fathers, according to Holstein, are often left out of the picture when parents separate, but are now taking the lead to protect their children and their rights. "We have faith in the common sense of the voters," said Holstein. "Ordinary men and women understand that joint custody helps save children from heartache and an unhappy future." State Rep. Philip Travis D-Rehoboth, is the primary sponsor of a similar proposal, House Bill No. 3191, which would create legislation for joint custody. The bill is not ready to be voted upon. Travis said he thought it was a meaningful bill that values both parents' rights and would make fathers equal to mothers. "It brings a level playing field to the fathers," Travis said. He also said that too often the "non-custodial parent is left out." Travis said the legislation would make courts understand they have a responsibility to allow children to remain in both parents' lives. However, exceptions in granting joint custody would be made if a parent is considered physically or emotionally dangerous to the child, has abandoned the child or voluntarily relinquishes custody. "The courts would be required to listen to both sides," said Travis. Deborah Allard-Bernardi may be reached at . ----------------------------------------------------------------- "The courts would be required to listen to both sides" Now here's a joke! Kinda makes you think that that isn't supposed to happen at this point in time. Even though, anyone having gone through, going through, or about to step into that perilous ring of drama, -knows- from reading the local news papers and the newsgroups that that is EXACTLY what NEVER happens in "Family" court. Judges almost never listen to the NCP and often times treat them as a 4th-class citizen! And Travis thinks that his bill will force judges to open their eyes and ears???? Call me paraniod, but I'm wondering what hidden bombshell he has tucked away inside that bill he wants to throw out at us... Dusty ------------------------------------------------------------ Eliminate the impossible and whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. ---- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle --- |
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Dusty wrote: Fathers' rights group looks for support BOSTON -- During this November election, voters in Somerset, Swansea and several other neighboring communities will be asked whether they support joint custody of children after divorce. According to local legislators, it will create a level playing field for fathers who typically lose custody of their children and are not valued as equal in the court system. No it won't. Lazymoms will still get on Welfare and fathers will be required to pay 90% of the already hyperinflated C$ amount back to the state. Although they WILL get to see their kids, which IS a plus. - Ron ^*^ (Who has joint legal and 50% physical custody and pays 90% of the formulaic C$ amount because his ex is playing the Welfare game) |
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