Update on Fathers & Families Shared Parenting Bill

September 14th, 2009 by Ned Holstein, MD, MS, Board Chairman

Fathers & Families’ Shared Parenting Bill HB 1400 will be heard this coming Thursday (9/17). Massachusetts is one of the worst states in the country for shared parenting and for fathers, but Fathers & Families has nevertheless made considerable progress there. This includes:

Over one-quarter of the Massachusetts Legislature has expressed clear, public support for Fathers & Families’ Shared Parenting Bill, many of them signing on as co-sponsors.

Fathers & Families gathered thousands of signatures to place shared parenting on the 2004 Massachusetts ballot and led a successful campaign for its passage, winning 86% of the vote.

Fathers & Families persuaded the Boston Globe to become first major newspaper in the United States to endorse Shared Parenting in principle in an editorial (Feb 23, 2008).

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick told the Legislature that if they pass Fathers & Families’ Shared Parenting, he will sign it.

Fathers & Families recently met with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick concerning Shared Parenting and related topics.

Fathers & Families pushed “Shared Parenting ” to the number one issue on the Massachusetts Governor’s website for citizen input.

Fathers & Families ignited a debate in the Massachusetts Democratic Party over Shared Parenting , leading to a spirited, 40 minute debate on the floor of the 2009 Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention and winning 40% of the Convention’s vote.

How is it?

That we live in 2009 and before a father is able to speak in court, he is looked upon as less than the mother? Why does a judge believe that empowering a woman in court by saying "I'm not changing a thing unless the mother says so" belive anything other than how that may hurt an already troubled relationship? Maybe even show her dividends on how not to get along could lead her into sole physical custody?

How does a mother believe that "extreme limitation, or elimination of visitation" will benefit her children or even her, in the long run?

The fear of losing money in child support holds her from allowing me to see my children more than I already do. Let the record show that I already pay more than the state tells me that I need to pay, and now expects me to not see them.

Why are there no term limits on Judges in our court system? Does one person provide that sort of unbiased opinion that lasts through their lifetime? Has anyone experienced it?