It is interesting that socialisation has been mentioned as a plus for child care. How do people think children were socialised prior to mass institutionalisation of children? I stayed home with my children when they were young and we had people over during the day, we went to playgroups and to the park. There are other places for socialisation for both parent and child who are at home.

Where are the positives for a six week old baby in terms of socialisation when all they are concerned about at that age is being in a safe and secure place, being loved and having basic needs attended to.

It is easy to be manipulated into thinking that child care is or should be the template in terms of socialisation or that feminism is the cause when the real reasons are much more complicated.

I agree with many of the comments above that it would be ideal if parents could share the role of parenting and of work but sometimes this is not possible nor is it always desirable. It is a pity that the perpetuation of 'the economy' did not evolve along with smarter ways to manage work and family for both men and women.

Pynchme,

Women’s contribution to paid work isn’t that great. Women are only paying about 30% of personal income tax, and the other 70% is paid by men.

Many men have 2 taxes imposed upon them. They pay normal income tax, and the more they earn, the more they pay.

They can also pay another tax, which is child support. About 1 in 10 people in Australia is now connected to the Child Support Agency (2 million), and the Child Support agency has become one of the largest bureaucracies in the country.

About 90% of child support is paid by a father, and this acts as a second tax on that father, because it is normally drawn straight from the father’s paypacket, and they have no say in how the money is spent.

If the mother moves to another town, it also becomes extremely difficult for the father to even see the children.

With the second tax of child support, a father cannot reduce his income. He has to keep earning the same or more each year, and he has no say in how that money is spent. It is the most wide spread form of slavery occurring in the country.

Due to the Marxist/feminist family law system, many men cannot reduce their income and spend more time at home, even if they wanted to. They are compelled to be earning the same or more each year, and for most men, that means working the same or more hours. It is compulsory.

HRS

I agree with you that men have less choice than women as regards workforce participation but that is changing with our modern economic demands and women are finding themselves in the same position. Most of us are arguing for the situation to change to benefit both men and women as far as work/life/family matters.

Also, are you saying that the non-custodial parent should not pay child support or contribute in any way to their child's care? From what I understand, under the new Family Relationship laws, the system has become fairer for men both monetarily and access-wise.

Doesn't the custodial parent have to seek permission from the non-custodial parent before moving town? Correct me if I am wrong but I know this was the case with a member of our extended family and permission had to be sought.

Pelican,
Very little has changed in recent years.

The term “custodial” is still being applied, and it is a Marxist/feminist term that is applied to make the non-custodial parent (ie the father) null and void.

A custodial parent can do whatever they want, and the father has to have a lot of money and a lot of time to spend if they want to go through the family court, and quite often the decisions made by the family court are completely arbitrary.

Its all rather academic anyway.

Currently 1 in 4 households is a single person household, so housework statistics don’t mean much.

Single person households are increasing in number, and so are couples without children.

A Marxist/ feminist society does not produce enough children, and eventually becomes extinct.

Nature’s way.

An extinct society will be a legacy the Eva Cox’s of this world will leave behind.

No, what men are experiencing is the direct result of "it's my way or the highway" sort of thinking towards their partners and children.

Some women have chosen the highway.

That doesn't absolve either parent of financial and other responsibility for their children. I suspect some men think that if a woman won't put up with them; their bullying or with whatever is wrong in the relationship that she should be sort of punished by having to try and live in poverty; or driven back into the situation by the difficulty of it all. Why would anyone want someone with them who resents them so ?

I heard recently that it costs about $250,000 to raise each child to adulthood. I got out my calculator and I believe it. I have poured my earnings into childraising (3 of them) for 24 years all up and have little to nothing left over in financial terms, but I have a wealth in relationship with them all.

As I understand it; calculations for child support (ranging from 17 to 30% of income, depending on number of children and amount of income) are done *after an amount for self maintenance is deducted (about $15,000 per annum or perhaps more, per adult income) and both parents are responsible for maintenance - either in time caring for them or financially.

HRS - how much do you think it would cost you to support your children if they were with you?

"Some women have chosen the highway."

and alot are out there desperately trying to "hitch a ride" on the next bloke who walks past...

I note in our 20's women had the "power" to get a man (and alot then tried to change him into the one they actually wanted)

In the 30's things are serious, kids dominate.

In the 40's men and women take stock, maybe have an identity crisis (blokes from being re-engineered into what the little woman wanted).

mid 40's the crisis over and divorced

but the balance of power has changed.

Men now decide... the 45 yo or the 30 yo?

I am in my 50's, with a slightly younger partner but I know, if I say "I am single" I could get killed in the rush to sign me up...

Consequently, it remains "My way or the highway" more so these days than ever before.

Don't ya just love it....