On behalf of the Swiss Associations for Shared Parenting, the VeV, together with mannschafft, conducted a survey of all current members of the National Council and the Council of States. We wanted to know what the parliamentarians thought of the goals of our proposed legislation. 46 of them responded – almost all positively!
Online survey in September 2007; email to 200 members of the National Council and 46 members of the Council of States (S), responses due by 30.9.07
Questions asked
- Fathers should be given more rights and responsibilities regarding child rearing.
- The state considers parents capable of managing matters concerning their children themselves.
- The parents involved should handle such matters themselves as far as possible.
- The state supports parents in reaching an amicable agreement.
- The state (judges, authorities) only intervenes if the parents fail.
- Father and mother are equally responsible for upbringing and care.
- Children born in and out of wedlock are treated equally with regard to their relationship to their parents.
- As separated parents, they must reach an agreement on their shares in childcare and the distribution of maintenance costs.
- If the parents cannot agree on these issues for the child, they must undergo a mediation process.
- If they still cannot reach an agreement, both parents will each have equal custody of the child, and the judge will decide on the details.
- Anyone who refuses or prevents the other parent from fulfilling their childcare responsibilities will, upon application, be punished with imprisonment for up to three years or a fine.
- The parent with whom the child is staying should make everyday and urgent decisions for the child alone. Important decisions for the child must be made jointly by both parents.
- Do you support a legal regulation of joint parental custody that is designed according to the above-mentioned criteria?
-
Will you seek to influence the discussion within your party or in parliament in line with your answers given above?
The questions met with broad approval from the responding parliamentarians. Question 11 (criminal liability for obstructing visitation rights) was an exception, with differing opinions. It will now be up to the parliamentarians to formulate the laws in such a way that they represent more than just a dead letter.
