Headliner Ken Cuccinelli has been vocal about his support for father’s rights when it comes to custodial cases. As Va. Attorney General, he no longer practices law on a regular basis, but he’s well-known for his belief that men deserve more one-on-one time with their children than they get in many custody arrangements… and that it’s up to family law attorneys as well as society to be catalysts for change. Many Massachusetts dads embroiled in bitter father’s rights cases would likely agree with his assertions.
Cuccinelli reportedly believes that father’s rights should be more accurately described as "family rights". From the viewpoint of his leadership experiences with Fathers for Virginia, a male-empowerment group that fights for the rights of men who want to be a part of their children’s lives, he has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for men to be able to spend time with their offspring following a separation and/or divorce. In fact, Cuccinelli’s trajectory to his current elected position has been based on his belief that father’s rights are integral to the bringing up of children in separated households.
Though Cuccinelli has his detractors, namely activists who feel his platform is against the rights of women who have been abused by the fathers of their children, he stands by his tenets. He has made such strong waves that he was recently pulled away from his attorney general responsibilities to act as private counsel for a friend who was undergoing a bitter custody dispute battle. This unusual decision clearly shows Cuccinelli’s commitment to improving father’s rights.
There are not enough Cuccinellis in the world, although Massachusetts dads who want stronger father’s rights wish there were. Still, Cuccinelli’s willingness to use his publicity as a springboard for positive change is an excellent sign. In the future, we should all hope that mothers and fathers are given equal time to spend with their sons and daughters.
Source: The Washington Post, Ken Cuccinelli’s family law stance won him support of fathers’ rights movement, Ben Pershing, Aug. 28, 2013
