[planetmark]

Hi all,

I wonder if anybody has already collected this sort of thing, or would be willing to contribute to the effort:

I'm looking for a TON of quotes, cites, references from every possible source that has an ounce of credibility (i.e. psychology, religion, medical, social commentators, government publications, state legislators, family research organizations, economic studies, etc.) that deals with the relevance and importance of fathers to their children. I'm looking for both positive and negative affirmations of the need for fathers in a child's life. (i.e.: Positive = "children are better off with dad around". Negative = "children are more likely to commit crime with no dad around.)

My reasoning is simple. The courts are bound by their holy grail of "best interest of the child" mantra. So I think it would be a good idea to compile a source document 3 inches thick to drop on the judges desk referencing the need and value of having the father actively present in the child's life. This would be exceptionally valuable in cases like mine where the mother has the opinion that dad is irrelevant, and has shown herself willing and capable of abusing her own children by damaging, hindering, or attempting to eliminate altogether the child's interaction with their father.

1) Dad is important.
2) Mom hates dad
3) Mom in charge = no dad
4) No dad = troubled child
5) Courts bound to "best interest of child"?
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6) Dad should have custody

I know this isn't always the case, but very often it is, and this would make a good resource to show judicial bias, guardian bias, and general exposure of the court's willingness to break their own laws. I want to put together one comprehensive and authoritative document that shows overwhelming research on this subject that the judge can't ignore.

If you have some such thing, let me know. Or if you come across a good article, post a quote of the good parts with a cite to the article here. Quotes from state statutes, judges, or Supreme Court rulings would be very effective too.