With the growth of the fathers’ rights movement over the last several decades, public perceptions in New Jersey and throughout the U.S. are changing in regards to fathers and co-parenting after divorce. These changes are reflected more and more in family law courts as families and legislators realize that many fathers want to remain in their children’s lives and help them grow and develop into healthy adults.
Verywell Family explains that organizations who have championed fathers’ rights are not focused on fathers gaining full custody, but instead on having both parents equally share the responsibilities of raising a child. These organizations educate fathers on custody issues and can also help them develop co-parenting plans and schedules with the underlying purpose of encouraging men to maintain strong parent-child bonds.
The Children’s Rights Council is one such organization, a nonprofit formed in 1985 that advocates for the active participation of both parents. The group’s tagline is “The Best Parent is Both Parents®” and it has a chapter in each state that promotes a regular and continuous relationship between children and their non-custodial parents.
Another organization is The Fathers’ Rights Movement, which takes its name from the cause itself. Members encourage fathers to assert their rights while also working to educate people and the court system on the value of having fathers remaining present in children’s lives. According to the FRM, children who have regular and meaningful interaction with both father and mother are at less risk of:
- Running away from home
- Committing criminal acts
- Becoming pregnant
- Dropping out of school
- Abusing drugs and alcohol
- Committing suicide
- Becoming involved in abusive relationships
Finally, the Children’s Rights Council is another nonprofit group that promotes equal involvement in child-rearing. The council focuses on the children of divorce and their best interests. State chapters generally provide a range of services, which include monitoring custody exchanges and visits, domestic training for fathers, counseling and more.
This article contains general information and should not be taken as legal advice.