Madam - While empathising with the sentiments of John Waters on the financial dilemma facing a number of fathers ("Fathers once more the whipping boys of unfair system", Opinion, January 2nd), I feel that the welfare of the children needs to be taken into account in every case.
I refer specifically to those situations where the issue of access becomes one of serious confrontation. The children can often find themselves on the receiving end of emotional blackmail by one or both their parents as they shuttle between the parental abodes on a weekly or fortnightly basis. This must surely lead to to confusion and distress, especially in the case of very young children.
Mothers, not fathers, are the ones who have gone through nine months of sometimes difficult pregnancy and then in most cases have the major responsibility of bringing up the children and the major share of the problems (as well as the joys) that this may bring. While not denying the validity of children having a relationship with their father where this can be done in a spirit of compromise and co-operation, I do not believe it is always the best solution. The well-being of the children must surely be the pivot. Responsible action, not individual rights, is the central point. - Yours, etc,