In celebrating Fathers' Day recently, we should be mindful that in our very midst are fathers, mothers and their children who are suffering as a result of the family court being so primeval that although it espouses the view that the 'children's interest is paramount’, it is behaving the other way when meting out justice.

1.When children are interviewed by the court, they are made to choose one parent over the other.

2) Do children know whether it is the 'right choice' or the implication imposed upon them?

Whatever it is, the court will pronounce the 'sentence' and play 'god' and the children are then thrusted into ‘a parent's hand’. The drama then continues further and the stark reality is whether the essence of the children's needs are being served.

Is ‘parental alienation’ taken into consideration ?

Invariably, psychiatrists seldom recognise this situation, preferring to make their own evaluation by just listening to a child and making recommendations to the court. The result will be what you see around you - a lot of children being traumatised and being unable to adjust to their studies and society.

In the worst case scenario, they become misfits in society. Based on statistics compiled by Shelter, 80% of juvenile delinquents and criminals are from broken homes.

Where are our family courts who have the children's welfare as their priority? Where is the consideration that children need both their mothers and fathers in their lives?

Why is the importance of the family unit not emphasised in the development of 'good values' even if the parents are on bad terms? Can we not consider avenues like ‘shared parenting' and provide a platform to resolve issues regarding the children's education needs, maintenance, upbringing, etc, between the warring spouses?

Child Custody is no longer a game, where one parent becomes a 'winner' and the children and the other parent become inadvertently the losers. In real terms everyone loses except their representatives. Parental alienation is a scrooge of society - stop its spread. It is a form of child abuse.

To all affected fathers, don't give up on your children this Father's Day. To all affected mothers, likewise. Be strong.

It is time to change. Please be aware of the thousands upon thousands of fathers and mothers who are suffering because they are deprived of their children's love. Listen to their cries in silence, tormented and aggravated by an uncaring antiquated system.

(Parental alienation is a situation where one parent intentionally attempts to alienate the child from the other parent by poisoning his/her mind and usually succeeds. This is usually as a result of child-custody disputes and in the process destroys the bond between the child and the alienated parent. It is an act that is very inconsistent with the interests of the child and can be described as child abuse. Contact us with your feedback). www.pemalik.org