To ask if you would agree with a law forcing absent parents to step up?

[LisaSimpsonsHamster]

I was reading a post on another group and wondering what other people thought. Should there be laws forcing absent fathers to step up and parent their children? (I’m more referring to absent fathers who have multiple children with the same person/ planned children rather than ONS where father disappears completely before the child is born but can include those if you want) but the post I seen was referring to the former type. I don’t mean financially but should they actually be forced to be a parent? Aibu to say I can’t see how this would work out and I don’t think it’s beneficial for the children which is why there isn’t a law forcing this but people were arguing that they have been forced to be a full time parent.

Not if 50/50

No you can’t force someone to parent their own child but the government should definitely enforce fathers supporting their children financially!! No wonder the benefit system is in chaos when they get off Scott free

No. Because a parent that doesn't want to parent isn't going to look after them well so I don't think it would be good to force children into the care of a person who does not want them.

No. It would be more damaging to have a child spend time with a parent that doesn’t want to see them.

Of course not, some aren’t interested and have other hobbies that children shouldn’t be around, if they had the skills and inclination they would ensure they already were.

No because of the potential for abuse of a child they don't want to see.
I would support other rules though - estranged parents having to pay more maintenance to the families they leave behind when they go on to have other children and a fee of that being paid into social services to develop a team that can watch out for maintenance-avoiding bare minimum parenting and neglect.

Also having to have their non-involvement on a register (like a CCJ or Clares Law request) and this being included in background checks for jobs. Child Maintenance being enforced much harder and those on benefits having to give more time to voluntary causes to qualify so they have to earn the maintenance element/percentage of the benefit, more kids = more voluntary hours to clamp down on those falsely claiming to avoid paying maintenance while working cash in hand.

No because it’s not in the child’s best interests for various reasons.

A friend of mine solo parents, despite the father asking her to see the child. In her case they are several hundred klms apart, he has lost his drivers licence (although still drives) and is still drinking to excess. The pressure is on her to take the child to him, but no one comes up with the funds for her fuel and accommodation and she doesn’t (fair enough) want to be in the same house as him. He still calls her drunk wanting to get back with her…

then on the flip side is the parent who has told friends of the ex ever shows up, they are to call the police. What she didn’t tell the friends was about the birthday and christening invitations she sent to him…. What a bells up that would turn out to be.

No. I think this would be damaging, although really does depend on the circumstances. At 11 my son wrote a letter to the family courts stating he did not want to see his (physically and emotionally abusive) Father and they listened! Imagine if he was forced to see him?

What a daft idea! It would be unenforceable, and even if it was - how would you ensure that the dad didn't just game, drink, watch adult programs on TV?