Family Rights 101: Why is there a fathers rights movement?

July 25, 2:45 AMFamily Rights ExaminerTeri Stoddard

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Fathers around the world are uniting for their human and civil right to parent their children, in what is sometimes called the fathers rights movement.

Equal parenting advocates like John Murtari of akidsright.org and Bev Morris, founder of the National Association of Noncustodial Moms (nancm.com) are quick to point out that mothers are also victim to bad government policy, just in smaller numbers.  

Statistics show that approximately 80% of children nationwide who are not living with both of their parents are in the sole custody of their mothers.  Bill Sharp, an Illinois father who lost equal custody when the mother of his children refused to cooperate with court orders, overheard his family court judge saying, "The father should not be upset because this is how it ends up in 90 per cent of the cases."  

Equal parenting and fatherhood advocates say there are obstacles that don't allow them to parent their children in a full and meaningful way, if at all. 

One issue is child support.  Carol Rhodes describes in her book  Friend of the Court, Enemy of the Family how child custody decisions are based on which parent would owe the most child support, making the state more money through Title IV.  Others point to the Bradley Amendment, which keeps judges from releasing noncustodial parents from child support arrears, even if the original order was found to be unjust. There may be hope, after one man spent over a year in jail for owing child support for a child who is not his.

Other issues are domestic violence and parental alienation.  Myths about domestic violence are affecting public policy, claim some advocates.  They say restraining orders are dished out like welcome greetings at Walmart, during ex parte hearings with no notice to the other parent.  These orders give filing parents immediate sole custody of the children, and control over the home and other assets.  Studies now show that false allegations of domestic violence are in the 50-70% range.  Other studies show that domestic violence by men and women is about equal, and that one-third of the significant injuries are sustained by men

In their own words: 

For more info: 

• Northern California dad travels to DC to confront President Obama
• Family Rights 101: Is the Parental Justice March in DC July 26?
• Equal parenting 101: What's the best way to divorce with children?
• Family Rights 101: Where can I learn more and hear victim stories?
• Equal custody advocates offer help to unmarried and divorcing parents
• International Links from Daddy's Pride
• International Links from Dads on the Air
• Parental alienation information and support
• SUPPORT? System Down Documentary
• Victims of family law and civil rights violations
• Videos about family law and civil rights violations

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