Fathers deserve a fair voice in Family Court system

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing anonymously because of the sensitivity of Family Court matters, but the system’s perceived bias against responsible fathers demands public attention.

There is growing frustration among fathers who pay child support and provide for their children yet face constant roadblocks when trying to exercise their parental rights. A father is not just a wallet; children need the love and presence of both parents.

Too often, fathers with legal custody or access orders find those arrangements intentionally blocked by the other parent. When they turn to the Family Court for enforcement, they feel their concerns are dismissed. If a judge establishes a parenting arrangement, any decision to alter it must go through proper judicial channels, not informal adjustments that leave compliant parents stranded.

Further, while social workers do challenging work, we need strict safeguards to ensure their recommendations are objective and do not unfairly erode a father’s standing without proper evidence. Access should never be used as leverage in parental disputes.

We need urgent public accountability regarding how Jamaica’s Family Court handles breaches of parenting orders and monitors social work interventions. Behind every court file are real children. A responsible, financially supportive father who wants to be in his child’s life should not have to fight the system endlessly just to be a parent.

CONCERNED PARENT