In Kentucky, their fight has led to proposed legislation and heated debate in both 1998 and 2000, but no changes so far. Kentucky judges say dads get equal shots at custody in their courtrooms but nobody keeps statistics on custody decisions, so it's impossible to tell. That doesn't dissuade these fathers, who say they've been through the system and feel cheated. Kentucky's debate over custody equality is just beginning. An Ohio-based group, Parents and Children for Equality, claims a strong constituency in Northern Kentucky.
Members range from wealthy to blue-collar, from liberal to conservative.
Second wives and grandparents make up almost half the groups' memberships. Some men complain about visitation time denied by the mother, and others have fought unsuccessfully for additional days with their children. Courts do not recognize that children would benefit from more time with their dads. Six days a month, which judges describe as a typical arrangement for a parent with joint custody, is not enough, they say. Judges have discretion to award whatever visitation they feel is appropriate, but many counties provide guidelines.