In the heart of New England, Vermont is known for its picturesque landscapes and progressive values, yet there remains an area critically in need of attention: father's rights in child custody and family law proceedings. Today, I am calling upon the state of Vermont to address and enhance the rights of fathers, ensuring equality and fairness in custody and child support arrangements.

Countless studies highlight the importance of a father's presence in a child's life, ranging from emotional stability to academic success and social development. Despite these findings, fathers frequently encounter bias in courtrooms, facing an uphill struggle to obtain joint custody or fair child support rulings. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only one in six custodial parents were fathers as of the most recent census data.

In Vermont, although statutes claim to support gender equality in custodial decisions, the lived experiences of many fathers tell a different story. The system demands transparency and reform. We must initiate a thorough review of existing laws, ensuring they are applied fairly without gender bias and reflect the modern understanding of parental roles. Furthermore, we propose regular training for judges and mediators in gender-sensitive practices and the establishment of state-funded legal support specifically tailored for fathers.

We urge the government of Vermont to lead by example. By enacting policies that genuinely support both parents equally, Vermont can set a benchmark for other states to follow.

I call upon all residents, policymakers, and supporters of family equality to stand with us in this vital cause. Sign this petition to demand fair and equal rights for fathers in Vermont. Together, we can create a more balanced and fair judicial system that benefits children and families alike.

Now for my personal reasons! 

This petition is being filed due to a father doing an at-home DNA test and finding out a child is not his and it was brought to court to have a Legal DNA test done but the mother is not allowing it. As everyone states that Vermont is a women's state and all about the women and children, this is not the way it should be! Just because a man signs papers saying a child is his and a woman is assuring him that it is, doesn't mean a woman is not lying. When it comes to suffering it affects all parties involved the same. If a man has any kind of evidence showing a Child may not be his, he should not be held accountable for the past, the present, or the Future, and get a court-ordered DNA test no matter what, and a woman should be penalized for lying.