You know what, DecentDad? I'm really getting sick and tired of your attitude! I know; polite society (and internet) says not to say things like that, but I'm fed up! I keep trying to be patient with you and your intermittent remarks about the poor victimized fathers out there, realizing you (just like all of us) have your own personal situation that must impact your views, but you're just flat-out becoming an obnoxious pain in the butt! We've ALL got our own sob stories, we've ALL got our own feelings and concerns, or NONE of us would be here, but what makes you think anyone appreciates or benefits from your black and white statements such as this:
I'm a woman in a high conflict divorce, seeking an alternative to court! Even if the odds were ACTUALLY in my favour to get custody and restrict my ex's access (and I continually get the impression they are NOT in spite of my ex being an alcoholic who's still drinking, heavy into drugs now, too, makes a good amount of money every year, yet hasn't paid one thin dime of support in almost 5 months), I STILL think it's imperative that parents do everything possible to work together for their kids' sake, whenever possible.. and nope; haven't seen that "flood of money" you refer to.. for goodness' sakes, tell me where to find it, ok? Because I'm having a hell of a time finding money to buy bigger shoes for my kids, and I can't afford summer PJs or T-shirts; although their "father" made about 90K last year.
I'm continually told and finding through research that if the father's got money and the mother doesn't, the most common 'tactic' is for the father to litigate until the mother has no options or finances left.. I continually see the courts bending over backward to provide "rights" to fathers who have finally 'decided', well into their childrens' lives, to be a part of things NOW that they're 'ready'... I continually see women fighting for the safety and well-being of their kids, and the father getting off on having his "rights" recognized (insert Tim Taylor's "Ugh, ugh, ugh" here), only to wind up not bothering to exercise them, to the detriment of the kids. I continally see fathers not paying their support, yet somehow, the mothers find a way to make damn sure the kids' needs are covered.
Of course, all of the afore-mentioned examples are not indicative of EVERY case, but that's what I have been seeing as the 'standard'. But that's where you and I differ; I recognize that not EVERY dad is that way, and not EVERY mom is that way, and certainly not EVERY case is so easily predicted. Please, show a little respect for the anguish others go through who are NOT in your situation, and stop generalizing every man to be a victim, and every woman to be a monster, will ya?!