Since the ’50s we have come a long way from the nuclear family. No more is the norm a father and mother with 2.5 children. We see more and more families having one or no children, single parents, grandparents and other family members raising children, and sadly we see those children without anyone.

Despite the changes, the traditional family may have seen over time, there is still a belief that it is best for our children to have two present, loving and invested parents. Yet, we see long and heated custody battles between exes over who gets to see a child more or at all, even when both parents are capable and loving in their role.

The Rhode Island Father’s Rights Movement is trying to move away from this idea by advocating for “50/50” and equal parenting being the standard in family court. Why shouldn’t the start of any custody begin with a 50/50, what we would expect in the home if mother and father were still together? The group argues that without a history of criminal activity, violence, substance abuse or mental illness, individuals should equally share their parental responsibilities.

Especially in such an emotional time when two people are not only separating but also facing the possibility of seeing their child less, we expect our family court to establish the rules. We want them to objectively look at a situation and do what is in the best interest of a child. The Father’s Rights group suggests that that is not always the case, that it is assumed fathers automatically don’t want a part in their children’s lives.

Fathers fighting for their own rights doesn’t negate the role of the mother. On the contrary, the group has several female members and strictly prohibits “bashing” women or the mother of their children. We should be enthralled to see so many men banding together, fighting to be able to see their children. In a time when we so often do see fathers and mothers for that matter, abandoning their parental duties, it is a nice change to witness parents doing all they can to be a part of their children’s lives.

When the traditional nuclear family seems further and further away from reality we should be encouraging these parents. Parents who want to embrace parenthood and are willing to spend thousands of dollars to secure their rights without trying to take that same right away from another, but looking for equality.