A friend is going through a custody battle, he has four children that all lived with him until recently. I wrote this letter to do what I could in helping the judge make the right decision. Hopefully it can help someone else.

*The name has been changed to protect the innocent.

To whom it may concern,

In this age the traditional family is under attack from every angle. Values of the past are no longer held with regard. Fathers especially have become disposable and treated as an option. Fathers that have the misfortune of having a child out of wedlock experience a criminal mistreatment by society and especially the courts. If ever there is a custody battle or a child support hearing a man stands at an automatic disadvantage. It is as if the decision has been made even before either party opens a mouth. I have seen this happen too many times with all races but especially blacks.

But this does not diminish the necessity of a father for the healthy development of a child regardless of the gender or race. Just the presence of a father alone has been proven to have a profound affect on the hormonal development of female children especially. This does not even take into account the emotional development.

My friend Barnabus has been a great example of what a father should be. The love for his children has always been apparent to me, and something that I hope to mimic with my own children some day. His children have the fortune of having him and their siblings readily available to them shaping and molding their identity. If any party were to go missing it would be catastrophic for all involved. Please pray about this decision you must make and do not let bias or popular misconception about fathers cloud your judgment. Take into account that Barnabus is a hard working man willing to do anything to provide for his children and a self sacrificing love that would be devastated if he lost any of them to the courts.

Sincerely,

Fantastic Voyages