|
|
S.P.A.R.C. | 
| Separated Parenting Access & Resource Center
"Keeping Families Connected"
| |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
Sample Protest Letter
Anti-father bias is frequently found in the various mainstream media outlets, such newspapers, magazines, radio and television. When you see anti-father articles, ads, or television programming, we strongly suggest sending an email, FAX, or letter to the responsible party protesting the unfair portrayal of fathers.
To be effective, your communication must be clear, concise, framed in a reasonable tone, and of an appropriate length. A rambling, 20-page letter full of insults and typographical errors will NOT be received well, and will only contribute to their perception of fathers as irresponsible or unstable people.
To make the task of letter-writing a little easier, we've provided a sample 'model' letter that can be easily modified to cover a variety of specific situations. Make sure you indicate the name of the publication or program, the date it was published or aired, and the way in which it portrayed fathers unfairly or contributed to a negative gender-stereotype.
Sample text for a basic letter of protest:
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am concerned about the apparent bias in your recent publications when discussing the issues surrounding divorce, adoption, and issues pertaining to children and the family unit.
Having read the recent article on "XXXXXXXXXX" in your (Month, Year) issue, please be advised that I will no longer purchase your publication. I will also be writing to the community relations departments of your advertisers informing them that I will no longer be purchasing their goods and services if they continue to advertise in your publication.
Additionally, I will be encouraging various divorced father's groups that I belong to and inform them of your article, and I will encourage then to take the same course of action.
(The 'add-in' text from the samples below would go here if desired)
Very truly yours,
(Your name, city, state, zip)
|
|
Sample 'add-in' text for "Domestic Violence" articles: |
Domestic violence and abuse are not committed only by men as your article would lead us to believe. The fact is that men and women abuse each other with almost equal frequency. Until society recognizes and accepts the fact that women can and do commit domestic violence, the problem of domestic violence will never be addressed and a "solution" will never be found. For example:
-- More than half of all 'severe' domestic violence is committed by women against
their husbands or boyfriends.
Source: Research by M. Strauss & R. Gelles as
reported in 'Women Are Responsible Too', Judith Shervin, Ph. D. & Jim Sniechowski, Ph. D., LA Times. 6/ 21/ 94.
-- Dr. Martin Fiebert, (1997) professor of Psychology at the California State University of Long Beach, listed 94 empirical studies that support the position that men and women are assaulting their intimate partners at nearly the
same rate. When all the evidence is weighed, the only reasonable conclusion is that men and women commit spousal abuse against each other at nearly equal rates.
Source: Martin S. Fiebert, Cal State Univ., http://www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm
-- A random survey of 2, 143 American homes uncovered the fact that severe
abuse was committed equally by men and women.
Source: 1980 study by Murray Straus, Richard Gelles, and Suzanne Steinmetz.
In short, domestic violence is a societal phenomenon that is not gender-specific. To deny this fact is unrealistic, biased, and shortsighted. As psychologist Judith Shervin writes, "Women must share responsibility for their behavior and contributions to domestic violence." These contributions are far bigger than the mainstream media are willing to admit, as your article shows.
|
|
Sample 'add-in' text for "Deadbeat Dad" articles:
|
It is both unfair and unrealistic to portray all divorced fathers are "Deadbeat Dads". The vast majority of fathers pay their support every month (1). Currently, the court system is slanted in favor of mothers for residential placement which places fathers in the majority of those obligated to pay support.
However, what about those mothers that do not pay support? The fact is that mothers default on support more frequently than do fathers. (2) Where are your articles on "Deadbeat Moms"? What about those mother's who alienate their children from the fathers? Where are your articles on "Parental Alienation"? What about those mothers who use the Court system to harass fathers by filing false allegations of abuse? Where are your articles on that?
(1)
90.2% of fathers with joint custody pay all the support due
79.1% of fathers who receive visitation pay all the support due
44.5% of fathers with no visitation pay all the support due
37.9% of fathers are denied any visitation
66.0% of all support not paid by non-custodial fathers is due to inability to pay
Statistical Source: 1988 Census "Child Support and Alimony: 1989 Series P-60, No. 173 p. 6-7. and U.S. General Accounting Office Report" GAO/HRD-92-39FS January, 1992
(2)
46.9% of non-custodial mothers totally default on support
26.9% of non-custodial fathers totally default on support
20.0% of non-custodial mothers pay support at some level
61.0% of non-custodial fathers pay support at some level
Statistical Source: Technical Analysis Paper No. 42 - U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services - Office of Income Security Policy.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
|
|