I am writing to you to demand change on an situation that is Harming Fathers And Children here in The United States. Simply put, the “Court” system as it now exits has stripped fathers of their rights to be a part of their children's lives. Instead, fathers have turned into financial relief for stressed Goverment fundings. We must first register with CSEA to pay Support for our child ( Children ) and in return recieve no visitation or set parenting schedule. We must pay again to take the other party to court just so that we have a right to see our child ( children ). Which will include Legal fees, Court Cost and possible Lost days of Work. All for a basic right that the child ( children ) and Father should have automatically. Also it is assumed that the mother should always have custody of the child, in some cases this is not the best interest of the child being a women does not necessitate for being a good parent. There are those of us Fathers whom already are single parents and have custody of a child ( children ) and would like shared Parenting rights from the very start of the childs life.
There is a large amount of Fathers that have felt raped. Victimized by not seeing our children. Or being able to be a part of the first few months and enjoy the time to bond with them all because the court system at this time does not give fathers custodial rights from the beginning. I ask the question Why shouldn't we have rights as well? Shouldn't the child have rights? Do Not Confuse this with the “deadbeat dad” types who leave their child ( children ) and the child's ( children ) mother without care to support them and trying to avoid Financial responsibilities. I am talking about honest hard working, tax paying, child-loving fathers who live for their children. The fathers that want a shared parenting schedule so that they can grow and bond with their child ( children ) and get the chance to know each parent as compared to someone they just happen to see every other weekend. It's not fair to the child and is most certainly not fair to the father. These are the fathers that are relying on the judges, lawyers, and Legislators to help reform Parenting Laws and rights. Under current status the courts have created a Mother is best way of looking at Parenting and often show that as common practice in court presidings. As when custody comes up unless it's an extreme case the fathers rarely get custody of their child ( children ). And the Mother is basically the odds on favorite before either Parent step foot into a court room.
When I filled out a child support form I was insulted at how it was automatically assumed that the payor to be a male I have cusody of a child and his mother pays no child support I would even question how to fill out such a form when the questions asked are " When was the last time Father was in contact. "etc.
We Fathers would Love to enjoy helping naming our children and being there during the birth some of us are constantly robbed of that right. We are expected to sit back be alright with any name the mother gives the child. This is a direct Area where fathers have no rights. I would of loved to be able to help name my child but with current laws I can do nothing, yet take it as the direct insult it was ment to be. Because with current United States Laws whatever name the Mother gives is the name the child has. I would like a right to help name my child and I'm sure other fathers would to. If both parents can not agree on a name then the child ( children ). Girls should be named after the Biological Mother and boys to be named after Biological Father. Equal rights for both parents to be able to name their child. Is the only reasonable and logical answer.
The United States of America. When you say that do you feel pride in our Goverment and in it's ability to change? In The United States, our home where we feel safe and proud to raise our Child ( children ) are we being stripped of our Parental Rights. We, as parents have a right to assume equal periods of placement for our children, unless there is credible evidence that a parent is not fit, that placement would be harmful to the child ( children ). This right is that is not being looked at or enforced. Not to mention what of the rights of the child ( children ). They Have a right to know both parents, not that one parent must win as a result of lengthy, intrusive and costly legal battle, or compromised simply to reach a stipulated agreement to avoid a battle.
In practice, partly due to historical societal roles of parents and statistics on court rulings, there is an unwritten presumption that the mother gets custody and primary placement of the children and the father pays child support to the mother. While this presumption is not defined anywhere in the statutes, and is contrary to the equality principles established by law in 765.001(2) and the equal protection provision of the 14th amendment, it is very real. The net result is that the legal process treats a mother as innocent until proven guilty, and a father guilty until proven innocent. In light of this presumption, in cases involving two fit parents, the equal fundamental rights of the mother is usually fully supported, while the equal fundamental right of the father is subject to negotiation and compromise. A mothers word is good, fathers word is subject to question looking at Custodial rights. As in many cases, fathers who merely want to fulfill their responsibilities to the child (ren) by providing for their care during equal periods of placement are often forced to accept 20-40% placement or endure a lengthy, intrusive and costly legal battle. This violates the civil rights of those fathers who are encouraged, coerced or threatened to agree to stipulated agreements that deny them equal periods of placement against their will and denies the children the opportunity to an equally important bonding relationship with their Fathers as well as their Mothers.
I would like to still think that here in America, Here in The United States we can get these laws changed, to give that which we so claim to have Equal Rights! We Fathers would like to think we can count on the Electorates and Courts to stop this insulting, uncaring and inconsiderate violation of Parental Rights and the rights of the child ( children ) I ask you. I beg you to start giving us our rights. We are counting on the you the ones we elect to address this problem which has been over looked for far too long. If you do not think this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed, your not only lying to me and other fathers but how many children as well? Give Fathers the same rights, protection and support that you give to Mothers. The United States has a good record of changing Laws to better society. As an American citizen, as a Resident of The United States I do not feel I'm asking for much just Equality of Parental Rights. Rights I should have, just as a Mother already has without having to hire an Attorney. I know it can be done, I believe in our ability to change laws and make for a better future.
Lets make New Laws that better Family life not just for Fathers but the children as well.
Please Join me in the fight...
Posted By: T.D. Faison
Friday, November 28th 2008 at 11:39AM
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