<<< hall of fame index >>>

The law is creating vast wells of misery, massive discontent, an unstable society of feral children and reckless adolescents who have no understanding of authority, no knowledge of a man's love and how different but equal it is to a woman's.

It also creates irresponsible mothers, drifting, hopeless fathers, problem, violent and ill-educated sons and daughters, a disconnection from the extended family and society at large. So many of us are hurting and yet the law will treat the man in court (if my case is typical) with contempt, suspicion, disdain and hostility.

What more is required to make men the same in the eyes of the law as they are in the eyes of their children? Both parents must have equal status after separation. There must be an immediate presumption, as there has been in Denmark since January 2002, that the children, where possible, will live with the father 50% of the time. Isn't that eminently civilised?

The principle of 50% of everything must pertain. Children are genetically 50% of the man and that selfish gene which drove him to express genetic infinity with his partner through their children cannot just conveniently disappear in some legalistic, Stalinist coup de théâtre.

The law is profoundly flawed. Its laughable pretext of gender neutrality and impartiality must be removed and the true face of bias, discrimination and prejudice fully displayed. There is no harm in being radical when the status quo breeds injustice.

Finally I began articulating the real love that dare not speak its name - that of a father for his child. No law should stand that serves to stifle this.

The Real Love that Dare not Speak its Name by Sir Bob Geldof, from Children and their Families,

Hart Publishing, Oxford,

© Bob Geldof