“[Shared Parenting] is an issue which knows no bounds. It is neither the domain of conservatives or liberals, poor or wealthy, and pays no attention to ethnicity or sex. Our issues cross all demographics and our goals are shared, and should be supported, across all sectors of our society.”
An announcement from Mike McCormick, Executive Director of the American Coalition for Fathers & Children:
“The most significant change going into 2008 takes place with respect to the office of ACFC President. As many of you know, Dr. Stephen Baskerville has returned to academic pursuits, taking a position as associate professor of government at Patrick Henry College in Virginia.
“Over the past four years as ACFC President, Stephen has published numerous articles and scholarly reports on the plight of parents in the family courts, as well as producing significant commentary on domestic violence and the child support bureaucracy…
“With the publication of his recent book: ‘Taken Into Custody: The War Against Fathers, Marriage and the Family’ Stephen has once again exposed the system which profits by separating parents and children. As a result of his teaching load, responsibilities connected to promoting the book, desire to continue devoting time to writing and coupled with the end of his term in office, he is not seeking reappointment as President of ACFC. He will remain active with the organization, continuing to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. All of us appreciate his contributions over these past years and look forward to his future articles and commentary.
“The ACFC Board of Directors (David Roberts, Dr. Stephen Baskerville, Michael McCormick, Dr. Stephen Walker, John Maguire and Jim Semerad) have been working on this transition for several months. We were guided in our search by the principle that ours is an issue which knows no bounds. It is neither the domain of conservatives or liberals, poor or wealthy, and pays no attention to ethnicity or sex. Our issues cross all demographics and our goals are shared, and should be supported, across all sectors of our society. Our desire was to bring forward a candidate that was first and foremost a strong Shared Parenting advocate. Thereafter, we were looking for someone with excellent credentials academically and professionally. We sought a leader who would present the case for Shared Parenting in a manner appealing to all sectors of our society.
“Our search committee members considered and discussed the position with several candidates and are pleased to announce ACFC’s new President for 2008, Dr. Linda Nielsen.
“For the past two decades Dr. Nielsen has been a proponent of Shared Parenting. She is a tenured faculty member at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Her background as a social researcher combined with her training as an adolescent psychologist, make hers a voice which cannot be ignored in the expanding debate over the need for Shared Parenting and the important necessity of a father’s contribution in child rearing.
“In 2004 Dr. Nielsen authored the book, ‘Embracing Your Father’ which encourages and provides practical advice to young women wanting a deeper relationship with their fathers. As a professor in Wake Forest’s women studies program she teaches a course titled ‘Fathers and Daughters.’ Unique in the nation, this course challenges young women to break out of stereotypical thinking about Fathers and ‘requires/encourages’ them to develop a deeper relationship with the most important man in their life, their Dad. To learn more about this book click here.
“In 2005 PBS released a documentary on this important work and it’s life changing impact on the women who have passed through the course. We are working to secure permission to rebroadcast this film through the ACFC website and hope to bring it to you shortly.
“Dr. Nielsen is already having a positive impact on our issues. She has completed a straight forward, easy to use, two-page brochure summarizing the research which makes the case for Shared Parenting and kids crucial need for father involvement. Look for this brochure in an upcoming email.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Dr. Linda Nielsen. Click here for highlights of Linda’s biography.”
McCormick’s full message can be seen here.
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