http://www.pjstar.com/stories/022507/TRI_BCFVCPJA.012.php

Attorney: Having dad around is crucial for kids
Head of governmental initiative on father's rights hosts conference in Peoria

BY AMBER KROSEL, Peoria Journal Star

February 26, 2007, The (Peoria) Journal Star (USA)---In the United States, about one-third of all children are living without their biological fathers. Since the early 1980s, marital and family law attorney Jeffery Leving has committed to advocating for fathers' rights and responsibilities, attempting to stomp out the "deadbeat-dad" stereotype.

"I believe children should have two parents," the Chicago attorney said here Saturday. "A good mom and a good dad."

To Leving, the possibility of gender bias in fathers' family battles is problematic with several Illinois state agencies. As chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood, Leving hosted a conference at Bradley University to discuss efforts in increasing awareness of fatherhood issues.

"The most reliable predictor of violence is father absence," he said, "but that doesn't mean every father absence is going to create a problem."

Established in 2003, the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood is the first governmental initiative of its kind in the state, serving as a resource to fathers of their rights in custody, paternity and child support cases. However, its main goal is to increase the number of children growing up with an involved and responsible father.

Leving said countless studies have shown that children who live in father-absent homes are much more likely to be poor, use drugs, experience educational, emotional and behavioral problems, be victims of child abuse and engage in criminal behavior. Some conclude the absence of a biological father increases a daughter's vulnerability to rape and sexual abuse by 900 percent.

Though the council advocates rights as well as responsibilities, many believe the council exists only to help fathers. That shows the need for public awareness, Leving said. "We know that there's possible gender bias or disparity," he said. One of Leving's own cases opened his eyes to the possible gender discrimination seen across state agencies.

A former client fought a custody battle after his infant child became permanently brain-damaged when his mother crashed their car while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Though Leving successfully won his client temporary custody, the judge ruled the wife would regain full custody after completing rehabilitation.

Council members are working on a child-support accountability bill because no current state law ensures child support payments are being spent solely on the child. Leving said they also hope to make joint-custody laws less confusing for fathers.

"Law reform has to work hand-in-hand with social change," he said.

Greg Hixon, a local area network coordinator for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, said he thinks the council's efforts are worthwhile.

"I think it's about making sure families are safe and stable," he said. "It's a community effort."