Conference quokka::non_custodial_parents

324.0. "There is Hope" by QUOKKA::29067::HADDOCK (Saddle Rozinante) Fri Sep 02 1994 12:57

    From 322.14

    I decided to make this a separate note since we were starting to
    rathole 322.

    I think the tide is indeed turning.  I've seen a lot of changes
    over the last 13 years that I've been fighting this battle.
    (Although not as fast as I would like). There are several things 
    that I see that give hope that we seeing some basic changes.

    o Even this notes file is a _vast_ improvement over what I had
      back then.  
    o Even thought the committees are stacked, at least there are now 
      committees.
    o I see signs that the problem is starting to be addressed as a
      _children's_ rights problem not just a _women's_ rights problem.
    o There is a movement towards joint and/or shared custody.
    o There is a swing back towards "family values" and trying harder
      to keep families together.  Too many times divorce has been
      the _first_ option instead of the _last_ option.  With the
      excuse, "It will be better for the kids". (ha).
    o I see a ground swell of more and more men (and more and more
      women) who refuse to be silenced and are learning how to
      speak up and fight back.
    o Most coverage on TV and radio in regards to men's and children's
      rights are still token, but it's more than there used to be.
    o There is a rising challenge to some of the "feminist" groups
      rather than just accepting their pronouncements as gospel without
      challenge. (Yes there are a lot of places where women's rights
      need to be improved, but before, women's right's were the _only_
      consideration).
    o Fewer men, and fewer women, are buying the "bad guy"-"poor women"
      line.  Fewer are willing to take responsibility and punishment
      for what was done by others in the past.

    All this doesn't mean that I think that we are there yet, but I do
    see some hope that all the hard work has not been for naught, and 
    that effort to continue to work to for the rights of children
    and men will some day pay off.

    fred();

    
    It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how
    the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done
    them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
    arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
    valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again because there is no
    effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion,
    who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end
    the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while
    daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and
    cold souls who know neither victory or defeat.

    Theodore Roosevelt, Twenty-Sixth President of the U.S.

Humanity swings on a pendilum. Back and forth, between what is precieved as good and evil. 
Temporary and classic behaivior. So long as there is the swing, there is progress. And 
although there is a step or two back with the on step forward. Its all but a learning curve 
to become the better. 

     [-.1 formatted for 80 columns]

                    <<< Note 324.2 by AIMHI::TCC062::RAUH >>>

     Humanity swings on a pendilum. Back and forth, between what is
     precieved as good and evil. Temporary and classic behaivior. So long
     as there is the swing, there is progress. And although there is a step
     or two back with the on step forward. Its all but a learning curve to
     become the better. 

    

    I attended a rally for Senator Phil Gramm this afternoon (5/20/95).
    Sounds pretty promising.  Got to shake his hand (twice).  Even got
    to ask him my question:

    "Senator, can you comment on the fact that the most telling statistic
    as to whether a child will drop out of school, get in trouble with the
    law, or end up in jail is the lack of a father in the home"?

    He responded with about 5 minutes on the need to dismantle the welfare 
    system and restore the American family.  He's been pretty much out
    front on that issue from the start.

    fred();