Equal Parenting: Know Your Opposition

Families are faced with an ongoing onslaught from social pressures and ill formed laws. Knowing that there is a problem in our society we need to work hard at advocating for change at every level and every corner of our society and government. In this effort I have compiled a list of links and my own summary that show the thinking and reasons behind organized opposition to Equal Parenting legislation.  Please remember that the first problem we face in the battle to give our children equal parenting is apathy, an unwillingness to actually advocate for change and speak to others.

1. http://jeannehannah.typepad.com/blog_jeanne_hannah_traver/2006/10/proposed_joint_.html

2. http://www.now.org/nnt/03-97/father.html

3. http://www.owjn.org/custody/nawl.htm

4. http://abusesurvivors.meetup.com/boards/thread/5575530

5. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-5-7-2008-1.pdf

6. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-7.pdf

7. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-8.pdf

8. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-9.pdf

9. http://house.michigan.gov/SessionDocs/2007-2008/Testimony/Committee14-05-07-2008-10.pdf

            After reading, being present for and discussing opposition testimony I have formed a summarization of the opposition to a legal presumption to equal physical child custody when child custody is in dispute.

1. First and foremost from what I read and read between the lines is that the lawyers, judges and government employees do not want to lose their jobs, political contributions and money flow. With a legal presumption there will be less billable hours, less need to gain judicial favor and less need for court employees to handle the custody battle.
2. Secondly feminists are concerned that mothers will lose their hidden alimony since in most states when there is equal custody the child supports rates tend to be a lot less due to having to actually account for both households’ child rearing expenses. As it is now there is very little consideration for the non-custodial parent’s costs since they do not think dad will provide rooms, beds, clothes and toys for their children like mom does.
3. Thirdly feminists truly believe that having a father significantly involved is not important and that most fathers are abusive especially if they want to raise their child (controlling). They believe that it is too hard to prove allegations of abuse and those mothers need to be able to move freely with their child so having a legal presumption will severely impinge on a mother’s liberty.

Of course we need to be able to understand and know the responses to every point raised by the opposition and even better know the truth behind their opposition. Please review the links above and prepare your own summarization, create your own response and use it in your advocacy work.