Non-resident biological fathers are at risk of losing contact with their children

Twenty to thirty percent of non-resident fathers have not seen their children in the last year. Another 20%-40% see their children less than once per week.

Family courts

Family courts have a powerful default of awarding custody to the mothers in 91% of cases. This is regardless of the mothers conduct,or her ability to support and care for the children.
Family court judges are advised by court welfare officers who are supposed to make recommendations "in the best interests of the child". These officers often operate without a complaints procedure. Since a welfare report cannot be acknowledged as wrong, it can only be right. A report that is by definition right can only be endorsed by the court, which as it happens sit in secret. It is almost impossible for fathers to appeal against bad decisions.

Parental alienation

If a child resides only with one parent and the other parent only has limited visiting rights then a process called parental alienation is possible. This is basically where the children are turned against the other parent. Since children are awarded custody to the mothers in 91% of the cases then the alienation is mostly against the fathers.

Reduced parental and paternal attention

Recent scholarship has emphasised the important role played by fathers.

Social psychologists have found that fathers influence their children's short and long term development through several routes.

Financial capital (using income to provide food, clothing and shelter as well as resources that contribute to learning).
Human capital (sharing the benefits of and providing a model of their education, skills and work ethic).
Social capital (sharing the benefits of relationships).
Studies indicate that a father can contribute uniquely to the development of his children independently of the mother's contribution. In other words, in areas such as emotional intelligence, self-esteem, competence and confidence, the father's influence cannot be duplicated or replaced easily by the mother, no matter how good a mother she is.

Children living without their biological fathers

• Are more likely to live in poverty and deprivation.
• Are more likely to have emotional or mental problems.
• Have more trouble in school.
• Tend to have more trouble getting along with others.
• Have higher risk of health problems.
• Are more likely to run away from home.

Teenagers living without their biological fathers

• Are more likely to become teenage parents.
• Are more likely to offend.
• Are more likely to smoke.
• Are more likely to drink alcohol.
• Are more likely to take drugs.
• Are more likely to play truant from school.
• Are more likely to be excluded from school.
• Are more likely to have adjustment problems.

Mother-Headed households

Lone mother households tend to be concentrated in inner city arrears. Because of deliberate "parental alienation", the first male role model that a young boy growing up in such a household may encounter are the street gangs roaming the neighbourhood. By associating with such individuals and without adequate controls at home, a young man can gradually be drawn into a life of crime.

Mother-headed households tend to produce the majority of our criminals and of our drug users.
Many studies have found that the presence of the biological father is a powerful protector against delinquency.

Mother-custody is often very misleading since the children are very often left with a childminder or with relatives - This is often the case EVEN when the biological father is available and willing to care for the children.

The court system states that fathers should pay maintenance to the mother regardless if she has prevented contact for NO REASON, They state "seeing your children is not pay per view", If this is so, Why then are fathers forced to pay sometimes thousands of pounds in legal fees on top of maintenance in order to bring court action so they can obtain a legal right just to see their children. Is this not "pay per view" ?