Up on the rooftop, Dublin Santa-Dads, AU Shared Parental Responsibility Bill, UK tagging parents,

Up on the Rooftop

Two Real-F4J protestors were "up on the rooftop" of MetroRadio December 21st dressed as Santa and a snowman.
More photos on the MetroRadio website.

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Dublin Dads march as Santa for Fathers' Rights

Fifty men dressed as Santa and protested in Dublin Friday for better treatment for fathers in family court. Ray Kelly, a member of the Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland group, said the protest was organised to show people the problems many unmarried men and separated fathers face trying to get access to their children despite court orders. Kelly said, "This is a death here, this is a living death...A lot of children, fathers and grandparents will be suffering this Christmas." UTV article

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Australian Shared Parental Responsibility Bill

I'd like to thank Andrew Hale, Barry Apelbaum and The Age for this article about the 2005 Australian Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill that was introduced 2 weeks ago.

excerpts:

...The proposed changes recognise a need for more shared parenting.

For fathers, the outlook after separation is grim. Dads in Distress points out that young separated Australian men are 10 times more likely to die by suicide than through a car accident.

...Opposition to shared parenting is stronger among mothers than fathers, but it seems that opposition from mothers focuses on younger children, under six years old, and lessens as the child grows older.

...several studies suggest that young Australians of both genders are expressing a strong desire to take part in raising children and family life when they become parents.

...children report the loss of daily contact with one of their parents as the worst part of their parents' separation.

...shared parenting is increasingly seen as a realistic and desirable option.

Children are conscious of it as an option and they are also encouraging a change in culture.

...Even moderate amounts of conflict between parents ought not necessarily impede a shared parenting arrangement, provided the children are insulated from any conflict. To insist on an absence of conflict, may encourage it. If a father wants shared parenting, and the mother does not and believes the court's fallback order will be prime residence to her, she may promote conflict and be unco-operative to provide evidence for the court to reject shared parenting.

Differences in parenting style should not be fatal to a shared parenting arrangement. Indeed, different approaches may serve to enrich a child's upbringing. Provided the child is in the care of a loving parent, one parent ought not be disqualified from spending substantial time with the child simply because of a different parenting style...


Essential factors are the proximity of the parents' two households, their ability to care for the child, the child's wishes and the risk of any violence or abuse...

Ultimately, it is hoped that the new legislation, if passed, will mark a significant cultural change in the way that family law treats fathers.


When children wish it, and their separated parents are emotionally and physically able to provide for them, and are geographically proximate, shared equal time between households is practical and desirable.

The arrangement is obviously fair, and encourages co-operation for the benefit of the children.


It would be a proud achievement if more children could continue to have a loving relationship with both their fathers and mothers.

Andrew Hale is a family law solicitor. Barry Apelbaum is a final-year law student at Monash University.

UPDATE!!! PLEASE READ!!! http://mensnewsdaily.com/blog/feminist4fathers/2006/01/australian-parents-shed-light-on.html


For more information:

Joint Parenting Association
Box 7115
West Lakes, South Australia 5021
Contact: Yuri Joakimidis
info@jointparenting.org.au

Fathers4Equality Australia
PO Box 57,
THIRROUL, NSW, 2515

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Fair is fair, isn't it?

As reported in The Independent the UK is planning on putting electronic tags on fathers who are behind in child support. Seems John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, is all about the money. It also seems he's quite biased. Take a look at the last line of this excerpt:

John Hutton... is determined to ensure that the agency improves its record on enforcing maintenance awards. He wants a culture change at the organisation, where the conciliatory approach to sensitive family problems has made staff wary of using draconian penalties. Mr Hutton believes that when conciliation fails, the agency must get tough on fathers who refuse to meet their commitments.

Considering that no one seriously consider putting electronic tags on mothers (or fathers) who don't abide by vistation orders and studies show that parents who have regular contact with their children pay maintenance on a more regular basis, it should be no surprise to read:

A committee of MPs said in January that the agency was "teetering on the brink of collapse" and David Blunkett described it as "a complete shambles" when he was the Work and Pensions Secretary.

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Happy Boxing Day