sub97
From: Kitten News [editor@kittennews.com]
Sent: Monday, 10 October 2005 1:31 PM
To: Family Responsibilities
Subject: Submission - Striking the balance
Commissioner Goward,
You express in your website preamble on "Discussion Paper, Striking the Balance", the following -
"However, we will not be successful unless we ensure men and women have the same opportunities to engage in paid work and unpaid caring work. While we have come a long way in opening up opportunities for women in paid work, we have not had the same success in allowing men and women to care equally for their families. It is this second half of the equality revolution that this project aims to accelerate."
In reference to this statement, in which you claim to be aiming to accelerate giving "men equal opportunity to care equally for their families" I suggest you give men equal opportunity to their families under law.
Family Court judges award custody of children, following divorce or separation, to mothers in about 80% of cases. This statistic clearly reflects current community expectations as to whom they consider to be the primary carer - assuming they are happy with the current legislation. The workings and outcomes of the courts should reflect the community's values. Clearly then, the 80/20 statistic shows that community expectations are that women should be responsible for 80% of all primary caring work related to families and children in particular.
Now, if your aim is to strike a balance, then it is clear that you must change this community attitude to one of 50/50. Presently, the judiciary and the community demonstrate their acceptance of men only being responsible for 20% of family work. If you want 50/50 family responsibilities, then this must be demonstrated by government example. Change the Family Law Act to assume a community standard of 50/50 equal parenting.
Unfortunately, the opportunity to do this has just been missed during the recent Family Law Reform. It is noteworthy that in this regard your very own Commission was instrumental in maintaining the present 80/20 status-quo. In fact, you yourself were active in speaking out publicly, and on the record, in arguing against the 50/50 presumption of join custody/equal parenting.
Until you as the Equal Opportunity Commissioner, demonstrate a clear and impartial treatment of men's rights, you will not achieve your aims. While you continue to support 80/20 Family Law outcomes you can not expect the community to accept your calls for 50/50 responsibility.
Until your Commission acts to eliminate discrimination against men - as in a fair society it should and by the wording of the Sex Discrimination Act, it must, you will not attract the community to endorse the values you wish of them.
True leaders lead through demonstration and example - a good Equal Opportunity Commission would do just that by eliminating all forms of sex discrimination for both sexes, not just one.
To achieve your aim, demonstrate good faith not just towards women and girls, but also towards men and boys.
Equal opportunity, equal responsibility - it must works both ways.
John Gardiner
Editor
Kitten News
www.kittennews.com
Sydney
Australia
