Three parents instead of two - the concept of "family"

[Dr Pat]

Interesting case reported in today's Daily Telegraph before English Court of Appeal at the moment concerning the rights of a (gay) father for greater access to his biological son who is currently being reared by the child's mother and her same-sex partner. The couple, while acknowledging that they are an "alternative family", say they are committed to the traditional notion of a two-parent family and think that a three parent, two homes environment would not be in the best interests of the child.

They also claim that the father who according to the Telegraph had a "marriage of convenience" with the mother from whom he was now divorced, had agreed prior to conception of the child that the two women would raise the child. He denies the existence of such an agreement and, as per the report,

"The father wants to play a full part in his development. He has a strong desire to develop a father-son relationship with the boy, with time spent alone with him."

Court has heard arguments and reserved its decision to be delivered at a later date.

Read more: Lesbian parents 'betrayed' by gay father demanding to see his son - Telegraph

It raise issues of how far the rights of a biological parent in respect of access to offspring extend and what limits are placed on them especially in the context of the rights of the child and the other parent and partner. It is also interesting that this is being considered in the context of an alternative family scenario, a point stressed by counsel for the father who, according to the report in the Telegraph,

"warned the judges against "importing traditional or stereotypical models" into their consideration of the case, and added: "This appeal raises important issues relating to the court's approach to children born into alternative families".

[bluefirelog]

This could also happen in a hetero couple. The issue is that they did not have a clear understanding. If you're going to go down this route, you need a clearly defined written agreement. It is similar to a surrogate mother looking to have access to the child she gave birth to, in a case where there is no clear written agreement and expectations are diffferent.

'Mr Verdan denied the father's stance was an attempt to "marginalise" the mother's partner and insisted there had been no "clear agreement", pre-conception, that his role in the boy's life would be limited to occasional visits.'

In the current circumstances, I think the father should be allowed access.

[pragmaticapproach]

Interesting case reported in today's Daily Telegraph before English Court of Appeal at the moment concerning the rights of a (gay) father for greater access to his biological son who is currently being reared by the child's mother and her same-sex partner. The couple, while acknowledging that they are an "alternative family", say they are committed to the traditional notion of a two-parent family and think that a three parent, two homes environment would not be in the best interests of the child.

They also claim that the father who according to the Telegraph had a "marriage of convenience" with the mother from whom he was now divorced, had agreed prior to conception of the child that the two women would raise the child. He denies the existence of such an agreement and, as per the report,

"The father wants to play a full part in his development. He has a strong desire to develop a father-son relationship with the boy, with time spent alone with him."

Court has heard arguments and reserved its decision to be delivered at a later date.

Read more: Lesbian parents 'betrayed' by gay father demanding to see his son - Telegraph

It raise issues of how far the rights of a biological parent in respect of access to offspring extend and what limits are placed on them especially in the context of the rights of the child and the other parent and partner. It is also interesting that this is being considered in the context of an alternative family scenario, a point stressed by counsel for the father who, according to the report in the Telegraph,

"warned the judges against "importing traditional or stereotypical models" into their consideration of the case, and added: "This appeal raises important issues relating to the court's approach to children born into alternative families".

These cases are a rare exception. It doesnt seem like an ideal enviroment for a child but this is nothing more than a human interest story. No moral emergency to worry about for the social conservatives or case to champion for the lefty social engineers.

[Collegebhoy]

"committed to the traditional notion of a two parent family"...lol. The boy has right to see his father though all the same.