Equal Custody for Mothers and Fathers

The Government have received a report into whether fathers should have equal custody with mothers enshrined in the law. The report rejects this, as well as rights for grandparents.

The decision seems based largely upon the experience of Family Law changes in Australia, where it is claimed to have had a negative effect on the care of children. Asking why the problems that have been identified in the Australian system could not be guarded against would seem to be a far better way to proceed than to refuse to enshrine the fathers’ and grandparents’ rights in Family Law legislation.

Naturally the main concern in any child-centred legislation must be the welfare of the child. However, to not act can be just as harmful.

Fathers for Justice are naturally concerned about this decision and we believe that we should all raise questions about this decision. To not enshrine fathers’ rights in Family Law legislation appear to give two messages:

• Firstly, that fathers are not as important as mothers
• Secondly, that there is a tacit acceptance or even encouragement of the feckless who have relationships resulting in children and then are absent and take no responsibility financially or emotionally for the child.

This results in society becoming the second responsible parent - at least financially - and again sends out the wrong message to the public in general that the Government, in one form or another, will always pick up the pieces for the irresponsible.

As trusted Manchester Family Law solicitors, we believe this cannot be the right message at any time, especially one of economic recession.