A Social Plea Near to My Heart

I don't typically post this sort of thing here, but this topic is near to my heart.  I have become a member of ACFC (American Coalition for Fathers and Children), an organization "dedicated to the creation of a family law system, legislative system, and public awareness which promotes equal rights for ALL parties affected by divorce, and the breakup of a family or establishment of paternity."

I was lucky.  I had an easy divorce many years ago.  No money exchanges hands: no spousal support and we split our daughter's expenses 50/50.  I have always supported myself since my divorce.  We share custody.  I respect and think the world of my ex as a friend and as a father.  More often than not, divorce does not work that way.  While I recognize that the family court system is set up to protect children, I have watched far too many times as it is abused and manipulated by lawyers and exes who want a free ride.  Worse, I have witnessed, in my community, parental alienation syndrome (usually it's the father who is alienated), which I believe is a form of child abuse.  I do not believe the family court system is always fair and just and it is gravely flawed (at least in my state of Vermont - I can't speak for other states). 

If you, or someone you know and care about, is dealing with a pressing problem related to domestic relations, there are excellent resources available to you from ACFC.   

ACFC is generating a petition which will be presented to legislators to help faciliate changes in the family court system.  The signators with the following principles respecting our nation’s children and encourage America’s leadership to develop policies which both reflect and support these principles. 

"Children thrive with the active involvement of both parents.  Children and parents should be encouraged to spend substantial time with each other regardless of the parents’ present marital status.  The undersigned recognize that absent issues of abuse, neglect or abandonment, social and government policy must be structured in such a way as to promote and maximize the opportunity of all parents to contribute to the social, emotional, intellectual, physical, moral and spiritual development of their children."

I've signed this petition because I've watched what happens when the system is abused and it breaks my heart.  If you feel so moved, please feel free to click on the link below and sign it too.  I promise not to make any more social pleas, but this one is too important for me to ignore! 

Your friend,

The Shortbread Chick (we'll be back to our regularly scheduled content in a few days!)

Comments

[Michael H]

Thank you for signing the petition and posting the link on your website.

[Anne "Wik" Witkavitch]

How sad it is when we need to petition in order to ensure children's needs are put first. Parenting is a team sport; whether you choose to wear different jerseys, you need to follow the same rulebook.

Anne