Observer 23/05 of November 10, 2005
Interview with Chantale Galladé, SP National Councillor from Zurich
Observer: Can divorced parents, who are often at odds, really work together for the child's well-being?
Chantal Galladé: A law can't resolve interpersonal conflicts. But a couple doesn't get divorced because they can't agree on a daycare spot for their child. The reasons for the separation are irrelevant when it comes to joint custody. Even a couple at odds can function effectively as parents.
Observer: In the future, a mother would have to justify why she wants sole custody. Does that make sense?
Galladé: Yes. And it's not about "airing dirty laundry" in front of the authorities. If I take the father away from my child, that definitely requires justification. The current regulations allow for power plays.
Observer: Aren't fathers fighting for custody also about power?
Galladé: I assume that the parents are acting in the best interests of their children. The fathers fight for custody because they want to take responsibility. The current regulations penalize those fathers who are committed to their children.
Observer: Some of your female party colleagues have a different opinion: they believe women have reasons if they don't want to share custody with the fathers.
Galladé: We probably have different ideas about equality. I believe that both parents have equal rights and remain parents after a separation. The law should clearly regulate this. If you assume the mother is the disadvantaged one, you reinforce the image of the helpless woman.
Observer: When the mother has sole custody, the father is allowed to see the child regularly – if she makes it possible.
Galladé: It's appalling that the mother can dictate this. Normally, we have to create an equal starting point for both parents. This way, the children can't become bargaining chips in disputes. For married couples, it doesn't matter whether they're in a broken marriage or not – both have custody rights. But parents remain parents for life, whether divorced, single, or married. Therefore, the father-child relationship should remain unbroken.