Josh Kimbrell ? The Future of Fatherhood

In a time when there?s lots of legislation coming out of Columbia and Washington that threaten our rights and freedoms, it?s refreshing to find an exception. The exception I?m referring to is a piece of legislation I?ll deem a ?Fatherhood Bill,? which would give children a fighting chance at avoiding fatherlessness.

Here in South Carolina, our child custody laws haven?t been updated since the 1970?s, and they leave thousands of fathers and their children without any kind of real relationship. This has tremendous ramifications for our culture and economy, as it further weakens the fabric of family that is the foundation of freedom.

Rep. Mike Pitts

That?s why I?m proud to announce my wholehearted support of SC Representative Mike Pitts? introduction of House bill H. 4614. This common sense legislation would simultaneously hold deadbeat parents accountable for the financial needs of their children, and protect parents who are fighting to be part of their children?s lives from an outdated legal bias.

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Unfortunately, statistics indicate, the majority of parents in both of the aforementioned categories are fathers. Too many dads sue for joint custody simply as a means to reduce their financial obligation to their children. Even more fathers, however, lose out on being part of their children?s lives due to the absence of clear joint custody laws in our state. As a result, we have a Fatherlessness Crisis in this state and country, and I fear that too much of it is the result of bad policy, not just bad parenting.

As with too many issues in our state government, outdated laws that were crafted to coddle special interests have created a custody nightmare in an age of failing families. As the divorce rate has skyrocketed, and now stands at above 50%, children increasingly find themselves without the presence of one of their parents. The tragedy of these statistics is underscored by the fact that our legal system still treats custody disputes as a rare and relatively painless process. This simply doesn?t match the present reality of our culture. Though I strongly favor rolling back no-fault divorce laws that make divorce as easy as easing out of a lease agreement, I believe a change to custody laws is imperative. Until our code of laws and, more importantly, cultural conditions slow the rate of divorce, we must protect children from legally induced single-parent childhood. That?s exactly what Representative Pitts? fine bill makes possible.

Under the proposed changes to child custody law, parents would have an equal financial obligation (which closes the loopholes on moms and dads that would shirk their responsibility), as well as equal input on their children?s lives from education to religious beliefs. This is a necessary first step toward arresting the amputation of one parent from the life of an impressionable child, which has severe sociological and psychological side effects. These side effects lead to seriously impaired citizens, once these scarred children reach adulthood, which hurts the whole of society. For the good of South Carolina?s children, its families and its future, I?d urge passage of Rep. Pitts? bill through the SC Senate, as it has already passed the House.

I would, however, call on the members of the Senate Judiciary committee to offer an amendment to the current bill that would include provisions of Pitts? companion bill on physical custody. In addition to introducing H. 4614, Representative Pitts offered a second bill, which would ensure, with the exception of demonstrable evidence of abuse and wrongdoing, equal physical custody of a couple?s children. This is a critical component to any comprehensive change in child custody, especially since physical presence has a tremendous impact on the psychological development of a child.

SC Judiciary Subcommittee Members on Rep. Mike Pitts? bill H. 4614

Positive change for children?s future is possible this legislative session, if the SC Senate joins the House in passing comprehensive child custody reform. I?d urge all South Carolina conservatives, who care about a strong culture and, as a result, a strong economy, to call their state senators and urge them to support comprehensive child custody reform. The future of our great state is on the line, as children will one day be the citizens responsible for her. May God grant us the wisdom to do what is right by the next generation.

Source: http://joshkimbrell.com/?p=884

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