January 1, 2008 by Walter Schneider.

Fathers for Life receives much mail, most of it via hundreds of e-mail messages each day but a substantial portion of it by snail mail.

Yesterday we picked up our mail from the local post office and found this letter.

Dec. 9, 2007

Dear Sir,

I have a request of infinite importance.

I am a Christian-Catholic, Caucasian, physically disabled male who has grown up fatherless.

I seek one or more reliable, trustworthy Christian, Caucasian male volunteers of any age willing to help and assist me as a surrogate/substitute father(s), brothers, mentors, caregivers on a long-term, continual or life-long basis — for friendship, companionship, comradery, counsel, advice, information, feedback, views, wisdom, insight, nurturing, male-bonding, non-sexual love/intimacy, father-son shared events, shared interests, sports, movies, music, travel, outdoors interests, etc.

It has been a dream of mine to have the Christian father I never had always there for me, and since this is the Christmas season perhaps one or more could volunteer and find it in their hearts to help me in my necessity?!

It would be a great gift. Fathers, brothers, family are great gifts. Please assist me in getting this properly accomplished.

Please contact me promptly or as soon as possible to respond to notify me of prospective or actual Christian males willing to help me in fulfillment of, pursuant to my request.

Thank you, Merry Christmas, Good Wishes,

(name and address not shown here)
Sacramento, California

Let us know if you are interested in helping the young man out. We will forward offers from practical locations, but some concerns must be addressed.

We are not a referral service and very limited in our ability to verify the veracity of the request. Unfortunately, the verification of the request must be made, not only of the request itself but also of any responses. The logistics for that are virtually impossible to achieve and manage from Central Alberta, Canada.

Is there anyone who feels qualified to take on the task of organizing this? (It is possible that more requests like this will follow.)

Walter and Ruth

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January 1, 2008 by Walter Schneider.

Quotes:

1. In the vast majority of cases here, mothers receive residence, regardless of how involved the father was in the children’s lives before the parents separated. Government figures indicate that more than 90 % of the time mothers are awarded residence (custody) of the children. Since 90% of divorce cases never get to court, it is presumed 90% of fathers are satisfied. The fact is, most men know the odds are stacked against them, and don’t have the money or heart to go through a debilitating legal process they are sure to lose.
2. There have even been cases where the courts acknowledged a man has been a good and involved father, but refused contact because the mother says that would make her unhappy.
3. The Children’s Act of 1989 passed by Parliament was intended to promote shared parenting, but with few exceptions, the family courts have interpreted the law otherwise. Joint custody or ’shared residence’ is almost never considered a viable option by family judges, even if that is the expressed desire of the children.

Full Story:

CBS News
29 December 2007

London’s Absent Dads
When It Comes To Divorce, British Dads At A Disadvantage

In the movies, dad ends up being able to see his kids (albeit through the benevolence of the ex-wife), but real life is not like Kramer vs. Kramer and Mrs Doubtfire, that’s why this holiday season, many British children and their fathers won’t be celebrating together.

Posted in Divorce, Shared Parenting, Child-Custody Awards, Family, Feminist Jurisprudence | Print | No Comments »