LTE: Change laws to give fathers more time with their children

Thanks to Keith Ledbetter for this one. James Semerad DADS and MOMS PAC Washington DC Representative 5815 Woodlawn Gable Dr, Apt I Alexandria, VA  22309 6632 Telegraph Road, Suite 110 Bloomfield Hills, MI  48301 B phone: 248-467-1204 www.dadsmomspac.org info@dadsmomspac.org http://detnews.com/article/20100620/OPINION01/6200304/Change-laws-to-give-fathers-more-time-with-their-children Change laws to give fathers more time with their children Keith Ledbetter It's often said that nothing is more American than motherhood, apple pie and Chevrolet. This common phrase reflects the reality that even in an era of inclusion, acceptance and equality in American culture, fatherhood can't compete with the sanctity of motherhood. As working moms have scored more and more success in the workplace, gender roles within the family unit have blurred in today's world. Many dads have enthusiastically jumped headlong into the frenetic pace of family life, deftly handling the rapid-fire schedule and commitments like Barry Sanders weaving through defenders in the backfield: getting their kids ready for school, working a full day at the office, scurrying home to prepare a quick meal, helping with homework then running off to coach their kids' sports teams. While recent years and cultural shifts have allowed some dads to display their skills on the home field, many Michigan children never get the opportunity for dads to play such a meaningful role in their lives. Advertisement As we celebrate Father's Day, there's sad news to report. Almost 40 percent of U.S. children can expect to live in a household without their biological father, according to the National Fatherhood Initiative. Despite common misperceptions that "things have changed" in child custody matters over the years, Michigan fathers are 10 times more likely to lose custody of their children during divorce than mothers, according to the most recent data published by the Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Office. In cases where sole custody was granted, custody was awarded to moms an astonishing 92 percent of the time and dads only 8 percent of the time. The 2008 report of statistics suggests that it is virtually impossible for dads to maintain custody of their children in contested divorces. Moms were granted sole custody in 17,539 cases compared to just 1,588 times for dads. Just as discouraging, the Friend of the Court has adopted a system of winners and losers, granting joint custody in only 13 percent of disputed cases. Does this mean that only 13 percent of dads are fit parents or does it mean that even good dads are losing custody of their children? Relegating a parent to a non-custodial role isolates children from one parent for all but four nights a month and every other holiday. This 85/15 split almost never includes school nights, leaving the second parent to sit on the sidelines with little influence or involvement in their children's school experience, their circle of friends or their everyday lives. This standard Michigan parenting schedule tragically leaves some moms and many dads as benchwarmers -- taking their kids to the movies and tossing a ball in the backyard on the weekends, but having no meaningful role in the serious business of mentoring a child into becoming a well-adjusted adult. It's time for our state leaders to tackle Michigan's legal system that is forcing a generation of fatherless children. Legislation sponsored in the State House by Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, (HB 5114), would create a presumption of substantially equal parenting time where two parents are ready, willing and able to care for the children and provide for their education. The bill has been ignored in the House Judiciary Committee for a year. While legislative leaders and the State Bar Association's Family Law Section attempt to run out the clock on the bill for this legislative session, our state is barreling head first into a social experiment that we intuitively know can't be good for our future generations. Let's level the playing field so that more children can have the chance to be coached by their all-American dads. Keith Ledbetter is a Canton Township resident and former school board member in Holt. He is a divorced father of three boys and a regular coach in a youth flag football league. He also is a member of Dads and Moms of Michigan. E-mail comments to letters@detnews.com. From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100620/OPINION01/6200304/Change-laws-to-give-fathers-more-time-with-their-children#ixzz0tZbiMqFT