LETTERS: CUSTODIAL LAWS ARE A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION

To the editor:

Discrimination in this country in all other facets of life is not tolerated and is considered unconstitutional. Yet we allow our state lawmakers to write laws to favor mothers who perpetuate prejudice by not enforcing fathers' visitation rights while scrupulously enforcing child-support payments.

Children need and love both parents after a divorce, and both parents must be permitted to play an active role in their development. When the judicial system allows mothers to take children away from their fathers, they are doing irreparable damage. Since sole custody is practically a reward, presumed to be in the best interest of the child, the losing parent is deprived of the right of parenthood.

This can take the form of denial of visitation and can be ego-shattering to fathers. It may be dealt with by retaliation, such as child snatching, by depression or by the neurotic acceptance of the loss of a child as though he or she has died.

It wasn't until after my divorce that I found out a custodial parent has absolute and total right to set visitation. It's these children who are not getting a fair shake, especially when one parent can call the shots and eliminate the other parent.

We, the people of this greatest country on God's green earth, should stand up and condemn such discrimination against fathers as we did the discrimination against other races and nationalities. And until we stand up and let our lawmakers know that we need stronger laws to help the noncustodial parent when there is interference with visitation rights, I feel that the destructive path that our children are on today will continue to worsen and our children will have no family values at all.

I realize divorce is part of our society. But we should not allow the very social fabric of our country to be destroyed nor our children left to suffer the consequences.

JAMES L. LaFENTRES

Scott City