The following page is from a Wisconsin organization called

Parental Rights Coalition

http://www.execpc.com/EqualSharedParenting/qa.htm

Questions and Answers about Equal Shared Parenting

Kids Need Both Parents

Q. What is Equal Shared Parenting / Kids Need Both Parents?

A: Equal Shared Parenting / Kids Need Both Parents is proposed legislation in Wisconsin, Senate Bill 202 and Assembly Bill 442. This bill ensures that children have the right to equal access to both parents in cases of custody and divorce. Wisconsin believes that parents have a  right and responsibility to parent their child. Of course, parents who are convicted of child abuse in the Children's Code 48 would not be even considered for Equal Shared Parenting (ESP).

Q: What about high conflict situations?

A: Equal Shared Parenting is even more important in these types of situations. Under current law, Family Court is a tug of war, making one parent the winner and the other parent the loser. The children are the trophies. With ESP, parents start out on equal ground with each parent having a part in the child's life. Studies show that conflict goes down after parents realize that ESP is the way it is. In these emotional times, parents need counseling in mediation and dispute resolution, not adversary resolution. The current system is wrong to pit one parent against the other

Q: How do you get parents to make equal shared parenting work?

A: Since divorce is such an emotional time, the emphasis must be put on what's right for the the children and not on the feelings towards the other parent. The easiest way to get parents to work together is to take the incentive to fight away. The incentive is the control and to prove that they are the "better" parent. By starting out on equal footing, parents will not be forced into the cruel war of "Divorce, Wisconsin Style".    Before Wisconsin had 50/50 marital property law - 80% of divorced couples went to court to fight over property. Now, for all practical purposes, no cases go to court. Same way for children. If you know that you will be allowed your equal share of parenting time with the children, litigation will be cut way down. Once the parents each understand that they will work out a plan that will be presented to a judge,  it will be done. They both love their children and want what is best for them. A questionnaire was written for parents to help work out parenting times. Fill out the questionnaire, talk to a mediator , work out your differences and go on with your life. The money that was saved from huge lawyer fees can be put towards the childs education. Parents working together for the children may actually bring the divorce rate down.

Q: How would Equal Shared Parenting change the children's daily life?

A: Children of divorce learn responsibility just like intact families. Children learn to take band instruments, orthodontic appliances, and homework back and fourth. Children prefer that both parents are involved in their lives. Children who see differences in parenting between the mother and the father, are getting a small preview of real life.

Q: How would this work with children under 2 years old?

A: Young children need much contact with both parents to form a bond.

Q: What about people who are child abusers and beat their spouse?

A: While it is true that some people do abuse their children, no one wants children to go to abusive parents. Parents who are convicted of child abuse in the Wisconsin Children's Code 48 would not be even considered for Equal Shared Parenting. This bill will also discourage parents from falsely accusing the other parent of abuse.  The Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services in their Child Abuse and Neglect Report to Governor Tommy Thompson and the Legislatures is concerned about the 'disturbing number of fabricated reports initiated by adults in conjunction with divorce custody disputes.' This is causing much extra work for our social workers. The DHSS states 'These (fabricated reports) are definitely a misuse of the CPS (Child Protection Services) system and an additional burden to CPS workers trying to manage large caseloads.'  So, ESP will free up DHSS to do the job that they were hired to do.

Q: What about the parents who just cannot have equal time.

A: The best way to give both parents a chance and to give children a chance to continue their relationship with both parents is to have the law provide for the presumption of equal shared parenting to those who are willing and fit. If the parents choose to have unequal time, let it be their choice. Currently unequal time is decided by prejudice, discrimination, special interests, corruption, and power plays.

Q: Why isn't child support covered in ESP?

A: Parenting time is a separate issue from child support. Wisconsin has many laws covering child support, there are no laws covering emotional support, the lack of parenting time and for with holding children from the other parent.

Q: What about parents who want to move?

A: Parents who wish to move must stay within a 150 mile radius. While this is an arbitrary number, the moving parent must relinquish rights when moving out of state.