As a father of three, I understand firsthand that being a parent is both a right and a responsibility that both parents must share equally. In today's society, a majority of families are dual-income families where both parents must work outside the home. This has caused a change in the typical roles of fathers and mothers in our families. As mothers venture into the work force to help out economically, fathers have had to take a greater role in raising their children. This is not necessarily any one person's fault, but rather an economic reality. The good that comes out of this is that more and more fathers are becoming more involved with the upbringing of their children, and in maintaining the household. I would encourage fathers to accept this added responsibility in taking an active role in raising their children, and believe they will find this a rewarding endeavor.
Studies have proven that men and women react differently to being a parent and that they both go about parenting in different ways. They have yet to prove that a mother is a better parent than a father or vice-versa. Men and women bring different goals, expectations, and views of what each other's responsibilities are in the father/mother relationship. Society also plays a part in determining roles that fathers and mothers have in the family setting which change from generation to generation.
I believe that when the Legislature makes policies regarding child custody after a divorce, it needs to ensure that both parents are given the opportunity to have an active role in the upbringing of their children. It is imperative that the State make policies that are relevant to today's societal and economic realities. The policies put forth by the State must reflect the rights and responsibilities of both parents. The Legislature must realize that "in the best interest of the child" means exactly that--in the best interest of the child. Not the state's, the father's, or the mother's best interest.
When a man and a woman have a child, we as a society demand that they raise that child in such a way that he or she will grow into adulthood and become a productive member of society. If parents don't, the State then has an obligation to step in and correct the situation. When the state makes policies regarding custody it has to remember that both parents are still responsible for that child's upbringing and must take great care so as not to alienate one parent in favor of the other.
Parents have the right to have children and raise them as they see fit so long as it fits into the very wide guidelines set by society. These rights include education, religion, life-style, and many more. The United States Supreme Court has upheld the rights of parents to raise their children so long as the child is not put into danger. The State needs to recognize these parental rights even after a divorce to ensure that policies enacted do not give one parent's rights to the other, but rather that both parents are granted equal rights along with equal responsibilities.
Sincerely,
Mark Boos Benhard
Candidate 41st Assembly District