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Christmas not a time of good cheer for the 4 million children and 2.4 million parents kept apart
- Families Need Fathers
(FNF) makes a joint statement with
Portuguese association ‘Parents Forever’, and the ‘Association of Separated
Fathers’ in Spain, to bring attention to the plight of so many children spending
Christmas apart from one of their parents
- FNF decries the tragedy of so many children
being denied a relationship with one of their parents
A time of year which should be full of joy and love is in fact a time of great pain for large numbers of children who are kept apart from one of their parents. To see both of their parents at Christmas is the wish of many children living apart from one of their parents.
FNF makes a joint statement with ‘Parents Forever’ in Portugal, and ‘The Association of Separated Fathers’ in Spain calling for recognition of the breaching of a child’s right to have contact with both of its parents, which is a tragedy of grave proportions, and which occurs internationally.
These organisations believe that shared parenting legislation should be adopted at a European level so that children should not be deprived of a potentially loving parenting resource to which they are entitled.
John Baker, FNF Chair, said “Christmas can be a particularly difficult period for those who are separated from their loved ones. It is a tragedy of even larger proportions when this could have been avoided, if an estranged parent desperately wants to have a loving relationship with their child, but is restrained from doing so by the legal system or a hostile partner.
Let us not create orphans of children unnecessarily. Let us acknowledge the importance of shared parenting.”
- ENDS -
For comment or information please contact us
Note for editors: Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.
Please see Families Need Fathers ‘programme for change’ Father’s Day Manifesto at
http://www.fnf.org.uk/about-us/fathers-day-manifesto
Please visit ‘Parents Forever’ in Portugal at
Please visit ‘Association of Separated Fathers’ in Spain at