The Honorable Paul E. Pfeifer

The Supreme Court of Ohio

30 East Broad Street

Columbus, Ohio 43266-0419

 

Dear Justice Pfeifer;

 

I am writing you concerning comments that were made during a recent case which you heard (Hubin v. Hubin (2001), 92 Ohio St.3d 240). As a divorced father with a shared parenting plan, I find your remarks that a father only shows up to see his children when he doesn't have a golf game extremely offensive. As a father, I have not missed a moment with my son because of my golf game or any other reason other than the interference caused by his mother. My relationship with my son is much more than "cocktail conversation".

 

This is an attitude that is straight out of the fifties, before the equal rights amendments where called for in the United States Constitution. The courts of this land need to start living up to those laws and stop the biases than have been forwarded towards fathers in this country.  We are more than capable of raising our children and many of us are doing just that. I do not require any outside help to raise my son, as I am more than capable of cleaning my house, washing clothes and cooking meals for the both of us. I do this while working a full time job to earn money to live on.

 

My question to you is, when are you as a judge going to start following the laws of this land and remove the bias against males raising there children from the court room? Under Equal Rights, all people are supposed to be treated equal without regard to "sex, race, or religious beliefs".  When does this start to happen within the Domestic Relations Courts of this state and the rest of this country for that matter? Your comments show me that you are prejudice against Fathers that have chosen to stay in their children's lives and raise their children. I have seen it within our local court, first hand. I have heard it from the other fathers that I talk to in the waiting area at our local court.

 

It is time for you to apologize for your comments publicly and to stop the biases that exist against males when it comes to raising their children.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ray R. Lautenschlager

Father, and proud of it

 

Cc: Justice Deborah L. Cook

       Justice Andrew Douglas

       Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer

       Justice Alice Robie Resnick

       Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton

       Justice Francis E. Sweeney