Conference quokka::non_custodial_parents

202.0. "Concerned Fathers support group" by PLOUGH::KINZELMAN (Paul Kinzelman) Wed Mar 04 1992 12:18

   I went  to  a  meeting last night for the first time of a group that may
   interest folks that read this file.  The name of the group is "Concerned
   Fathers",  tho  from  what I've seen, I think the group should be called
   "Concerned Parents".

   They have a one page description of the group and what it's for.  If you
   send  me  mail,  I'll  send  you  a  copy  of  it.   I'll just quote the
   description on the first page of the stated purpose.

	"Concerned Fathers  is  a  support  group  dedicated  to
	helping  people  positively  restructure  their families
	after   separation.    We   place  special  emphasis  on
	educating  the  public as to the inequities in the local
	family  laws,  particularly  those  pertaining  to child
	custody and financial orders."

   The Mass  chairman  of this group started it something like 10 years ago
   in response to outrageous laws and probate court orders.  There are many
   horror  stories  especially  in Mass, one of the most backward states in
   this  area.   I  guess we rank right up there with Alabama.  Fathers are
   treated  as  irrelevant  other than to provide financial support that is
   often nothing more than legalized extortion, and with no access to their
   kids.  The folks in the group are mostly fathers, but are not "deadbeat"
   dads.   They  care about seeing their kids.  Note that there can be moms
   in  the same situation, but the majority of people in this situation are
   the dads.  The organization welcomes both.

   The organization's  approach  is  two-fold.   First  they  sponsor  rap
   sessions to help folks in the middle of it figure out what to do.  There
   are  lots  of  folks  that  have  been  there  already and can help with
   information  and emotional support.  Second, they encourage everybody to
   be  registered  to  vote and to help out with lobbying legislators.  For
   instance,  on  March  25  there is supposed to be a hearing on a bill of
   major  interest  (I  don't  have the details here) to Concerned Fathers.
   They  are  hoping  that as many folks can be present as possible to show
   support.

   Please don't  just assume this group is just a "feminism bashing" group.
   The  head  (sorry,  I  can't  remember  his  name) explained his view of
   things.   There  are  "egalitarianism  feminists"  of  which  he regards
   himself  as  one (as do I).  The egalitarianism feminists are interested
   in  doing  away with sex discrimination as the name implies.  Then there
   are  the  "social  feminists".  The social feminists are the men-bashers
   and  are  in  opposition  to modifying the laws in Mass now (among other
   things).   The  social  feminists  even  suggest  (he  reads  8 feminism
   publications  a  month)  that  Mass  is  the place to come for a divorce
   because  of  lucrative  settlements, forgetting that at the other end of
   these so-called lucrative settlements there may be a professional making
   very good money living in a homeless shelter because he has nothing left
   after paying outrageous court orders.

   The founder  is  a  retired US marshal.  He never understood why anybody
   would  barricade themselves in their house and engage in a shootout with
   police. He no longer wonders. He knows why.

   You may write for information from:
	Concerned Fathers
	PO Box 2768
	Springfield MA 01101

	Phone in Springfield is 413-736-7432 (his house)
	Phone in Boston is 617-455-8810 (recording and leave message. It
		also contains the schedule and place of Boston meetings)

   Meetings open to anybody are:
	Boston 7:30pm:
	1st Tuesday of month at St Paul's in Brookline (15 St Paul St)

	Springfield 7:30pm:
	1st Thursday of month at YMCA, Chestnut St, Springfield

   It is a non-profit organization. Dues are $30/year.

I went to another meeting of the Concerned Father's group last night.
I really suggest folks with legal questions and issues check the
group out. They put out helpful "survival" kits for folks about "do's"
and "don'ts" in preparing for custody battles. Many folks there know
things about specific judges and lawyers. They also have monthly "rap"
sessions to help each other with specific suggestions.
The monthly general meeting is open to everybody and it's at
St Paul's church - 15 St Paul St in Brookline on the first Tuesday
of every month.

The group is also trying to lobby for changes in the law mostly
in Mass, encouraging folks to write letters to legislators and to
show up for important hearings.

The group is also trying to improve the image of fathers, to couteract
the common press view of mostly "deadbeat" dads.

They are sponsoring a father's day breakfast on Father's day (June 21)
from 9am to 12:30 at the Brighton VFW Post 2022
395 Faneuil St (Oak Square) in Brighton, MA.

The whole family is invited, there will be clowns, magic, prizes for
kids, raffels, etc. Food will be eggs, pankakes, sausages, bacon, juice,
etc., all for the reasonable price of $3 ($2.50 for members) and $1 for kids.

For more info, call 508-366-2837 (home) or 617-445-8810 (work)