Poirot,

The destruction of the extended family in Australia is recent and continuing. Unfortunately government policy in Australia is driven by economic considerations and some movements are inclined to toss out the baby with the bathwater (especially where they were not so impressed with babies anyhow).

Jefferson, all law is (or should be) founded in ethical principles. A good law does enforce ethical obligations, since ethical analysis of situations in which one is involved is often very difficult for individuals and can lead to very bad outcmes indeed.

Coercion by the State is not something that should be applied lightly, as the Ombudsman has pointed out very clearly with the CSA. In fact, it is so dangerous that I have suggested the alternative solution of the child support levy, meaning that such coercion is simply no longer part of the landscape in this context and that children get properly and adequately supported if they need it.

There is a great deal more to the subject of men in this feminist age than children's matters, though; let's not get too bogged down on this.

I wonder if being vindictive towards one's ex is an Indonesian cultural practice. I'm sure that there is some culture, somewhere in the world where people can work things out maturely after a break-up, because it has never occured to them that they should be nasty towards their ex.

hi Jefferson, to say the sexes are equal means women have the same right to a legislature, a jurisdiction at law and council and corporate committees as men granted themselves, hope this helps.

RObert
There are never any absolutes, just as I would never argue that both parents should have equal access 'absolutely' if there were extenuating circumstances.

The premise should be what is best and shared custody seems to fit the bill in most cases, given a healthy relationships with both parents is usually the best for children, the reality is there is no one-size fits all.

I agree it is difficult, particularly with very young children, to always be confident that what is 'best' is easily ascertained. It may not always be so - that is truly a dilemma. Thankfully I have never had to go through it, but I can understand how it would feel to be told you can only see the kids every 2nd week etc.

Pelican one of the problem's is that "childrens best interests" is treated as some kind of absolute when men's groups have raised issues about unreasonable impacts on men from the way family law and child support is implemented. The basic premise seems to be that childrens best interests should always trump the needs or wants of the non-resident parent regardless of the relative levels of impact.

R0bert