James Semerad has studied family and children's issues for more than 14
years from the Department of Health and Human Services, Heritage Foundation, American Psychological Association, and leading university programs on social work He is Chairman of DADS of Michigan Political Action Committee (PAC). He is a Commander in the Naval Reserve and leads programs on Family Readiness and Domestic Violence Awareness...
Washington, DC Rally.
Greetings and welcome to DC Rally 2007. It is an honor and privelege to stand before you and share with you some thoughts. What is more important is what we do following the rally.
I became involved to change the system, when I discovered that nearly forty percent of the men and women in one of my Navy Reserve units were not allowed to see their children. Our soldiers and sailors (men and women) are loosing their children because of their service to this country.
Let me share with you a little about TODAY’S REALITY...
• Michigan Divorce Rate…60%, NCHS 1998
• Michigan Courts...Sole Custody 88%, NCHS 1999
• Fathers’ Rights Consistently Ignored U.S.Constitution, Amendment XIV
• Fathers Unwillingly ‘Divorced’ From Kids 90% CASES...Minority Report US Commission Child & Family Welfare, 7/96
• July 1996, 28,000,000 Children without day-day Father Contact…970,000 in Michigan (est.)….Minority Report US Commission Child & Family Welfare
• 1.3 million ‘out of wedlock’ births in 1998…45,190 in Michigan…National Center Health Statistics 2000, Michigan Dept. of Community Health
• 33% of all children live with single parent …USHHS, 2000
• 40% single parent children - no father contact in a year …U.S. Senate Resolution 322, 6/2000
• 50% all children grow up w/o father figure …U.S. Senate Resolution 322, 6/2000
• 50% single mothers see no value in father contact with children…”Surviving the Breakup”, Joan Berlin Kelly
• 90.2% Fathers w/ Joint Physical Custody Pay Child Support Due…US Census Series P60 1989,1992,2000
• 79.1% Fathers w/ Visitation Pay Child Support Due…US Census Series P60 1989,1992,2000
• 44.5% Fathers w/ No Visitation Pay Child Support Due…US Census Series P60 1989,1992,2000
• 37.9% Fathers are Denied Any Visitation…US GAO/HRD-92-39F, 1992
• 66% Support not paid by Fathers due to Inability to Pay…US GAO/HRD-92-39F, 1992
TODAY’S REALITY…Children From Fatherless Homes:
• 5 times more likely to commit suicide
• 32 times more likely to run away
• 20 times more likely for behavior disorders
• 14 times more likely to commit rape
• 9 times more likely to drop out of school
• 10 times more likely for illegal drug abuse
• 20 times more likely to become incarcerated
• at dramatically greater risk for teenage pregnancy
…U.S. Senate Resolution 322, 6/2000, U.S. HHS/NCHS 1993, US Census Bureau 1989, US Dept. of Justice 9/1988, Criminal Justice & Behavior, vol., 14, p. 403-26.
REVIEW THE FACTS - Countless Experts & Studies Show
• Joint Physical Custody Best For Improving Well-Being - Minority Report, Commission on Child & Family Welfare, July 96
• The More Single-Parent Families, the More Juvenile Criminals - FBI Crime Index, NCHS/MVSRs,1993
• Joint Physical Custody & Shared Parenting Promotes Greater Child Support Compliance - U.S. Census Bureau 10/2000; 10/1992
• As Joint Physical Custody Increases, Divorce Rates Decline - Children’s Rights Council, 10/97; Statistical Abstract U.S.,’93
CURRENT SITUATION
• Existing Divorce/Custody Procedures Have Not Worked
• No Effective Lobby/Support for Fathers …mothers have hotlines, shelters, government programs & NOW
• Parents Are Denied Visitation
• Parents Denied Due Process in Collections
• More Punitive Child Support Collection Laws
• “Deadbeat Dads”…a Favorite Vote-Getter
OBJECTIVES & GOALS
• Shared Parenting Time - Substantial
• Adequate Parenting Time Awards
• Enforcement of Parenting Time Violations
• Eliminate False Abuse/DV Allegations
• Eliminate Paternity Fraud
• Fair, Just Child Support-Medical Awards
• Reduce Retroactive Support Orders
• Competent, Effective Legal Counsel
• Shared Parental Parity re: Child Custody & Care
• Legislative & Judicial Reform for Families
• Educate & Prepare Responsible Parents
• Reunite Our Children With Both Parents and ultimately eliminate the need for DADS and MOMS of Michigan
HOW DO WE WIN?
• GROW MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATES
• CONTRIBUTIONS, DONATE TIME & MONEY
• WRITE LETTERS, CALL, MEET LAW MAKERS
• COLLECT PETITION SIGNATURES
• APPEAR IN COURT HEARINGS
• TESTIFY IN LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS
• RALLY or PICKET RESPONSIBILY
Again, thank you for being here. It will not change until it changes for all of us. |
