ACFC and Art-Rock Band Blue October Join Together To Address Divorce, Family Breakdown, and Emotional Child Support

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Coalition for Fathers and Children (ACFC - www.acfc.org) is pleased to announce that we are teaming with singer Justin Furstenfeld and platinum-selling band Blue October (www.blueoctober.com) to help raise awareness of issues surrounding divorce, separation and family breakdown.  Children need both parents after divorce and separation. Shared parenting between two fit and loving parents is the solution.

Simply put, this collaboration is about acknowledging fathers' love for their children and vice versa.  It's about changing a prevalent, damaging and false stereotype of fathers as uncaring, runaway, absent dads.  They're not. The overwhelming majority of dads support and love their children deeply and always have.

"Unfortunately, right now in our culture and in our family court system, children's relationships with their fathers are too frequently harmed by misguided family court and social policies. The elephant in the room is that our current family court policy dictates that children need only 4 days a month with their dads.  It's called standard 'visitation.' It's a cruel policy, yet it's happening to thousands of children every day. These children miss their fathers. It's a tragedy that can be prevented," said Michael McCormick, ACFC executive director.

"Blue October's beautiful 'The Feel Again (Stay)' video resonated with us.  The video can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncmI65aYFzM&feature=youtu.be

Justin touches something that runs deep - yet silently - in our culture, and that is the pain of divorce and separation for millions of dads, moms, and kids. The raw emotion and pain of a loving father's separation from a child is shown in this compelling and beautiful song. Justin points to a solution that involves putting parental concern for the well-being of the children above any animosity between ex-spouses," said McCormick.

According to ACFC, the song offers a solution: stay together when at all possible. We believe Justin's message is meant to empower dads, especially those who have been suffering through family court, and let them know that it is not "all their fault," as they are so often told via pervasive cultural imagery that much too frequently shows fatherhood in a negative, blaming light. This is about healing families, restoring a positive image of fatherhood, and helping children have healthy relationships with both parents – even when the parents divorce.

Justin Furstenfeld said, "I have done everything I can for the benefit of my daughter, including  flying home every single day I had off on tour to spend time with her. I've saved enough to put my daughter through college and have been successful in providing as a father. Success meant family and health to me.  I am a sole provider for my child, and I and millions of other fathers are being treated like ATM machines rather than actual parents. The American Coalition for Fathers and Children is an organization willing to support me in my fight to keep my daughter safe and out of harm's reach. Thank you Michael for helping me speak these words that need to be said for so many fathers who are in a situation similar to myself."

There is room for hope and optimism.  The problem can be corrected.  This collaboration is a positive step in helping to create broad public awareness of the necessity for immediate improvements in family court policies, statutes and practices. We must change this failing system for our nation and, most of all, for our children.  

For media inquiries, booking interviews, or more information contact:
Jane Spies, M.S.Ed., of ACFC:  202-330-3248  or [email protected]
Kevin Chiaramonte, PFA Media: 212-334-6116  or [email protected]

SOURCE American Coalition for Fathers and Children