DR ROS ALTMANN
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA
@SagaRosAltmann
QUOTES
November 4, 2011.
WHERE ARE GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS GOING? DR ROS ALTMANN, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF SAGA, COMMENTS ON NORGROVE FAMILY LAW REVIEW.
Dr Ros Altmann, Director General of over 50s group Saga, commenting on the Family Law Review, said:
“As the official Family Law Review is published, there is one element that is conspicuous by its absence: Grandparents' rights.
“David Norgrove’s comment that ‘not all grandparents are good grandparents’ may be true, but to leave it to the whim of a couple at the centre of an acrimonious divorce, to ensure grandparents' rights are properly represented in court will have far reaching effects and will deny many grandparents - and of course their grandchildren, the chance to experience that special love and bond that so many take for granted. Family life and family relationships can extend very importantly beyond just parents and their children. Older generations have so much to contribute to their families.
“In his report, David Norgrove stated that: ‘There is no evidence that courts unreasonably refuse the ability of a grandparent to bring an application for contact with their grandchildren’.
“However, the constant flow of letters into Saga Magazine implies that whilst this might be the case, the process is extremely difficult and many grandparents simply can't face a court fight that they feel may be unfairly stacked against them. They had hoped that the law would recognise the importance of their rights properly.
“Many of the comments we receive are from grandparents who have reached the end of their tether.
“The relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent can be an extremely special one, and can provide consistency for a child when the family unit breaks down.
“This Review rightly points out that decisions should be made in the best interests of the child, however to give one adult ‘rights’ to access that can be withdrawn by the courts, whilst all others have to fight for any right to maintain a relationship with their child or grandchild is surely wrong.
“Many grandparents tell us that they have supported their grandchildren throughout their lives, only to find themselves bereft of any contact once the relationship breaks down. To have this contact arbitrarily withdrawn can cause irreparable emotional damage for everybody concerned.
“Of course, coming to an amicable solution outside of the court process would be better for everybody concerned, and the measures put in place to help couples in these cases will be useful for some.
“However judging by the number of acrimonious divorce cases that involve access to children every year, this review has made little difference and has dashed the hopes of the grandparents who were waiting with baited breath for this report in the hope that theirs and their grandchildren’s rights would at last be reinstated.
“Saga is very disappointed at the conclusions of this Review and we do hope that politicians may reconsider the recommendations after further consultation.
“David Norgrove’s comment that ‘not all grandparents are good grandparents’ may be true, but to leave it to the whim of a couple at the centre of an acrimonious divorce, to ensure grandparents' rights are properly represented in court will have far reaching effects and will deny many grandparents - and of course their grandchildren, the chance to experience that special love and bond that so many take for granted. Family life and family relationships can extend very importantly beyond just parents and their children. Older generations have so much to contribute to their families.
“In his report, David Norgrove stated that: ‘There is no evidence that courts unreasonably refuse the ability of a grandparent to bring an application for contact with their grandchildren’.
“However, the constant flow of letters into Saga Magazine implies that whilst this might be the case, the process is extremely difficult and many grandparents simply can't face a court fight that they feel may be unfairly stacked against them. They had hoped that the law would recognise the importance of their rights properly.
“Many of the comments we receive are from grandparents who have reached the end of their tether.
“The relationship between a grandchild and a grandparent can be an extremely special one, and can provide consistency for a child when the family unit breaks down.
“This Review rightly points out that decisions should be made in the best interests of the child, however to give one adult ‘rights’ to access that can be withdrawn by the courts, whilst all others have to fight for any right to maintain a relationship with their child or grandchild is surely wrong.
“Many grandparents tell us that they have supported their grandchildren throughout their lives, only to find themselves bereft of any contact once the relationship breaks down. To have this contact arbitrarily withdrawn can cause irreparable emotional damage for everybody concerned.
“Of course, coming to an amicable solution outside of the court process would be better for everybody concerned, and the measures put in place to help couples in these cases will be useful for some.
“However judging by the number of acrimonious divorce cases that involve access to children every year, this review has made little difference and has dashed the hopes of the grandparents who were waiting with baited breath for this report in the hope that theirs and their grandchildren’s rights would at last be reinstated.
“Saga is very disappointed at the conclusions of this Review and we do hope that politicians may reconsider the recommendations after further consultation.
Ends
For further information:
Saga Press Office
01303 771529.
01303 771529.
Iain Macauley
im@pressrelations.co.uk
07788 978800
1 comment:
Actually there are many rights for grandparents if they are keenly interested about their grandchild's and enough responsible for them. I really liked this blog post . Thanks for sharing this. Grand Parents Rights
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