Hait Family Law Representation with Compassion and Support

A Big Win For Divorced Dads

Men

We are inundated with an almost infinite flow of information. This has turned out to be a big win for divorced dads. Technology has created a global community. Its influence has encouraged men to play a far bigger role in their children’s lives than in previous generations. And that same international influence has recently led to a very positive outcome for shared or joint custody as a result of the spotlight illuminating the huge challenge for divorced dads.

Family Norms Have Changed

We have seen a significant transformation in the behavioral norms of the family. Couples are sharing the child rearing duties more than ever before. And they are being very creative about it too. Working mothers used to be the ones to leave the office early to pick up the kids. Fathers now take their turn doing the same thing. Dads do bedtime. They shop. They take the kids to the doctor and to extra-curricular activities.

And so, it’s that much more heartbreaking to hear about fathers who have been shut out of childrearing after divorce. Especially those who had taken active roles in their kids’ everyday lives before their marriages ended. Our digital community has let us see a man’s dashed hopes. He anticipates staying just as involved with his kids after his divorce. But his request for full or joint custody means he might have to fight. Social workers in Israel, historically haven’t thought a man is capable of raising his kids. And our court system’s default ruling has usually been awarding full custody to the mother.

The Court’s Traditional Response

Until now, the customary response of a judge when hearing a request for equal custody time, would have meant an order for a report from a social worker. The social worker’s findings would often call into question the father’s competence where custody was concerned. And this would even happen in situations where both the father and mother had equally shared the responsibilities.

Ill feelings run rampant during a divorce. That means meetings with the social workers are often marred by the parents’ personal smears against each other. And the poisonous river of divorce overflows its banks. The bad blood injected into the mix by parents who think that in order to get custody, it is paramount to slur the other parent, has caused many court judges to change their perspectives.

A Big Win For Divorced Dads

But there is good news! The more we know, the more we’ve come to understand how important it is to make changes in the law. It’s time to rectify past wrongs. The Israeli Family Court judges see this too. They are exposed on a daily basis, to the changes in societal behaviors, both in the media and in their courtrooms . They see warm, loving, hands-on fathers who are fully involved in their kids’ lives. And judges have made adjustments in their courts, because of this. They have sought to modify the divorce process and to synchronize it to the changes in society.

An important change in terminology was handed down on May 18, 2021 by Judge and Vice President of the Court, Chagit Mallin. She ruled that the term “custody” be changed to “parental management and allocation of placement.” Her goal was to help change the negative connotations connected to ‘custody’ to a more positive undertone. The term ‘parental management’ connotes responsibilities encouraging the setting of goals for what is best for the children. With this emphasis it is easier to apportion the amount of time the children spend with each parent. Not only is this a big win for divorced dads, the children are the ones who ultimately benefit.

Terminology alters reality. And the result of the change in this terminology will be a rearranged (divorced) family unit where each parent has the opportunity to raise their children.

Related Articles
...

A Prenup: The Unconventional Romance That Strengthens Relationships

Read More
...

The Importance of Having a Prenuptial Agreement

Read More
...

Are You A Drug Dealer In The Eyes Of The Law?

Read More