Question for Presidential Candidates How would you better the Family Court System?

Equal Constitutional Parental Rights and any needed reforms to the family law system to ensure them.

How would you better the court system on Child custody?

I am a children's rights activist. I have watched my stepson go through torture from his own mother before the courts actually did anything about it.

His mother had TWO evaluations done that said exactly what kind of person she is, yet the judges refused to even look into this and continue to give her unsupervised visitations

Now, a new judge has taken the place of the other judge due to the old judge getting a promotion. This new judge has given the biological mother way more than what she deserves and has even stated that she has not done her homework on the case, but gives into this narcissistic persons demands.

If you were elected president, how would you fix the corruption in child custody areas?

Please remember our children are our future. If our children are mentally, psychologically, emotionally, etc. abused, how are they suppose to lead future generations?

What is your stance on equal constitutional parental rights for all parents and any needed reforms to the family law system to ensure them?

Do you support constitutional parental rights for all?

Fathers should be present at birth.

In a world where absent fathers have become somewhat of a norm. Debrah Lewis provides viewers with some very insightful comments into why fathers might be absent throughout the life of their children. In this talk she outlines the role of the father in the childbirth process and the shortcomings of a system that does not offer fathers with opportunities to be fully engaged parents from birth to adulthood. We ask fathers to be involved in the life of their child, but deny them the right to be at the starting line, the birth. This talk asks to rethink the role of masculinity in the childbirth experience. 

Debrah Lewis is the first Vice President of the International Confederation of Midwives from the Caribbean. After receiving an MSc in Nurse-Midwifery from Columbia University in 1986, she worked in New York as a public and private practice midwife and also volunteered in Africa. Lewis' leadership led to the formation of the Caribbean Regional Midwifery Association and the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Midwives. She is passionate about strengthening the network of midwives in the Caribbean and ultimately, the world.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Children in father-absent environments. WHY?

View 5 minute "Talk to Strangers" film trailer
A montage of Nick and Emily's struggle through the court custody evaluation that their parents believed would protect them during the parents' custody battle.
Posted by Child custody film on Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Local View:

Judges must do more to protect father-child relationships

Opinion

Over the past few decades, research has shown the importance of fathers to their children’s well-being. These studies show children in father-absent environments are almost four times more likely to  live in poverty, are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, have significantly lower educational attainment, and are more likely to be sexually active.

Fatherlessness is associated with almost every societal ill facing our country’s children. How can you address the fatherlessness epidemic?

Civil Rights

Children in father-absent environments are also more likely to engage in juvenile delinquency, have higher risk of being victimized by crime including sexual assault and domestic violence, and are more than twice as likely to commit suicide.

Source: Local View: Judges must do more to protect father-child relationships : Opinion

Criminal Justice

Of course, kids do better with two parents actively involved in their lives. But,

many people still fail to understand the importance of fathers. According to research by Joan Berlin Kelly, 50% of mothers “see no value in the father’s continued contact with his children after a divorce.”

In light of this alarming statistic, it is perhaps not surprising that a study published by the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry found that “40 percent of mothers report that they had interfered with the noncustodial father’s visitation on at least one occasion, to punish their ex-spouse.”

A recent report by the Federal Administration for Children and Families describes a harmful phenomenon called “maternal gatekeeping,” in which mothers interfere with fathers’ access to their children. According to this report, “more than half of nonresident fathers offered accounts of gatekeeping behavior, ranging from refusing to grant physical access to making frequent last-minute schedule changes.

Gatekeeping also came in more indirect forms, such as refusal to communicate in person or by phone, withholding information from the father about the child, or berating the father.”

Motives for maternal gatekeeping vary. In some cases, mothers use children as a weapon and deny fathers access to their children as a way to punish them. In other cases, mothers use children for financial gain. According to the ACF report, “mothers would sometimes restrict access when a father failed to provide ‘extras’ over and above the required child support.”

It’s remarkable to me that Thompson cites the ACF report. It’s a fairly obscure work about which no one has commented in the mainstream press to my knowledge. I wrote three pieces on it and Thompson’s is the only other piece I know of. Good for her. She’s doing her homework.

Why Father Involvement Is Critical: The Importance of Active Fatherhood

Why Father Involvement Is Critical: The Importance of Active Fatherhood

Father involvement has long been recognized as an essential aspect of a child’s development and well-being. While the role of mothers in child-rearing has traditionally been emphasized, recent research and evolving societal attitudes underscore the profound impact fathers have on their children’s lives. Involved fathers contribute positively to their children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development, and their participation helps to create stronger families and communities.

Here’s why father involvement is critical:

1. Emotional and Psychological Development

Father involvement is strongly linked to positive emotional outcomes for children. When fathers engage in their children’s lives—whether through play, conversation, or shared experiences—they provide emotional support, security, and guidance. This active participation has been shown to foster higher levels of self-esteem, self-confidence, and emotional stability in children.

Children who experience consistent and supportive father involvement tend to develop healthier emotional regulation, which allows them to cope better with challenges and stress. On the other hand, a lack of fatherly involvement can contribute to feelings of neglect or abandonment, leading to emotional struggles or attachment issues.

2. Cognitive and Academic Achievement

Fathers are critical to fostering intellectual growth and academic success in their children. Studies have shown that children with involved fathers tend to have higher IQs, better problem-solving abilities, and stronger academic performance. This is especially true when fathers actively engage in activities like reading, assisting with schoolwork, and encouraging educational curiosity.

Fathers often offer unique perspectives, insights, and challenges that promote critical thinking and innovation in children. Their involvement can also set high expectations and motivate children to strive for academic excellence. Conversely, children who lack fatherly involvement may struggle with concentration, motivation, and discipline, all of which can affect their academic progress.

3. Social and Behavioral Development

Active fatherhood has a profound effect on a child’s social skills and behavior. Fathers often engage with their children in ways that encourage independence, self-control, and social responsibility. By participating in activities like sports, games, and problem-solving tasks, fathers help children learn the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and conflict resolution.

Research indicates that children with involved fathers are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, early sexual activity, or violent conduct. On the flip side, children who grow up without a father’s involvement or guidance are more prone to behavioral problems, delinquency, and poor social interactions, which can carry into adulthood.

4. Gender Role Development and Relationship Skills

Fathers play an integral role in shaping their children’s understanding of gender roles and relationships. A positive relationship with an involved father can influence how a child forms relationships in the future. For example:

• Daughters: A father who models respectful and nurturing behavior towards women teaches his daughters what to expect in their own relationships, promoting healthy self-esteem and relationship standards.

• Sons: A father’s example serves as a model for their sons’ behavior towards others, particularly women. A positive male role model can influence a son’s attitude towards women, teaching them to treat others with respect, kindness, and equality.

Additionally, a strong father-child bond sets the stage for healthy romantic relationships in the future. Sons who have positive relationships with their fathers are more likely to form stable and respectful relationships with women. Likewise, daughters with involved fathers are less likely to tolerate abusive or unbalanced relationships.

5. Economic and Practical Support

Fathers are often key sources of economic support for the family, and their involvement can positively affect a child’s quality of life. When fathers share in the responsibility of providing financial stability, it lessens the economic burden on mothers, allowing both parents to contribute to a child’s upbringing. This balance provides children with access to better educational resources, healthcare, and extracurricular activities, all of which contribute to their well-being.

Moreover, father involvement isn’t just about financial support—it’s also about sharing parenting duties. Fathers can contribute to day-to-day responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, or driving children to activities, which lightens the load for mothers and creates a more balanced and supportive family environment.

6. Breaking the Cycle of Fatherlessness

In many communities, the absence of fathers in the home is a persistent issue. Studies show that fatherless children are more likely to experience a range of negative outcomes, including higher rates of poverty, school dropout, juvenile delinquency, and mental health issues. When fathers actively participate in their children’s lives, they break the cycle of fatherlessness and create a more positive and hopeful future for the next generation.

Fathers who stay involved in their children's lives, even if they do not live with them full-time, can have a lasting and beneficial impact. Whether through joint custody arrangements, regular visitation, or simply maintaining an active presence, fathers can provide the stability and support their children need to thrive.

7. Strengthening Family Relationships and Community

Father involvement has the power to strengthen family bonds and improve overall family dynamics. When fathers and mothers share the responsibility of parenting, it leads to more balanced, cooperative relationships between parents. This teamwork benefits the entire family unit, offering children a sense of security and emotional consistency.

Additionally, when fathers are involved in the lives of their children, they contribute to the broader community fabric. Active fathers often engage in their communities, from coaching youth sports teams to participating in local volunteer efforts. By modeling these behaviors, fathers teach their children the value of social responsibility, helping to create a community of engaged and conscientious citizens.

Conclusion: The Vital Role of Fathers

Father involvement is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Involved fathers provide emotional, social, economic, and developmental benefits that shape the future of their children and society. From boosting academic success to fostering emotional stability, fatherhood is a powerful force for good.

As we continue to understand the impact of fathers on children’s lives, it becomes clear that supporting and encouraging father involvement should be a societal priority. When fathers are actively involved in their children’s lives, they set their children on a path to success, happiness, and fulfillment. Ultimately, father involvement isn’t just good for children—it’s good for families and society as a whole.

Father involvement is critical for your organization. Father Friendly Check-Up™ is a Low Intensity tool to help you successfully engage dads and strengthen the families in your community. This assessment allows you to analyze your physical environment, location, organizational philosophies, staff attitudes, and more.

Dad...I'm watching you

From the moment he walks her down the aisle to the tears that may fall during the father-daughter dance, dear old Dad is a very important part of a woman’s wedding day.

It’s never easy for a Dad or a woman’s father figure to give away his “little girl” to the man she loves, but it’s such an extraordinary gesture that means the world to both of you. One Dad wasn’t sure how to tell his daughter how much she meant to him on her special day, so he decided to do something extra special to let her know he will always love her.

An At-Home Parent Finds His Non-Parenting Niche

Kevin McKeever at NYC Dads Group - *By Dave Lesser, NYC Dads Group Guest Contributor* "It is the best job I've ever had ... but the pay sucks." That’s what I tell people when they ask how I like being a stay-at-home dad to two kids. And it's true. I love so many things about doing what I do. I get to laugh and play for a living. And there's important work to be done. I mold minds, for crying out loud! I nurture bruised knees and bruised feelings. I hear the lessons I teach and the words I say repeated back to me in the world's most adorable voices. Some of the words are not totally age-appropriate, but that makes the... more »