Divorced fathers should have better access to their children: Forum
Source: Straits Times
Article Date: 20 Jun 2024
Families celebrated Father’s Day on June 16, but we must also remember divorced fathers who continue to play a role in their children’s lives, as far as they are permitted to.
Families celebrated Father’s Day on June 16, but we must also remember divorced fathers who continue to play a role in their children’s lives, as far as they are permitted to.
After a divorce, the parents face many challenges. One common difficulty fathers whom I have assisted as a family lawyer face is access to their children. The emotional pain does not end when the divorce is finalised. It continues and is often reflected in fathers being deprived of their time with their children to build an emotional bond with them.
It is difficult to find a workable solution to these divorced fathers’ child access problems unless both parents are able to co-parent and place the needs and wishes of the children above theirs.
Court processes and other mechanisms such as supervised access and the involvement of child representatives and parenting co-ordinators who the Family Justice Courts often appoint do not always help. Many fathers eventually have no other option but to give up their battle to continue a relationship with their children after divorce.
As today’s fathers are very involved in raising their children together with the mothers, the default position of mothers getting sole care and control in having the children live with them and caring for them daily must change.
Like joint custody, parents should be given joint care and control of their children upon divorce.
I am not suggesting children spend equal time with each parent as this will cause many administrative difficulties. The concept of joint care and control will drive home the message that the children are those of both parents and are entitled to spend time with them.
Children of divorce have the right to and want to have both parents’ love and support and for them to be present in their lives.
Rajan Chettiar
Source: Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.
1016