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 (Updated Oct. 15, 2009 - Dad released from Japanese jail. See link below.)
In what can easily be described as a shining example of a Dad wanting to keep his children safe from a selfish Mother, the story of Christopher Savoie is one that should not be forgotten.
After cheating on his wife and causing the collapse of his marriage (note: we're not going to sugarcoat it just because he's a Dad), he and his wife went through a bitter divorce. They argued about everything. Accusations and nasty emails were flying. Court dates were becoming common place. Unfortunately, this undoubtedly involved the children.
Christopher and his ex-wife Noriko were dual citizens of the United States and Japan. He was seriously concerned that if she were ever able to take the children to Japan he would never see them again. Japanese law -like that of most U.S. family courts- favors the Mother. Despite repeated promises to the court that she would not take the kids ("I have never thought about taking children away from their father, never," she told the judge.)
The judge did not agree with Christopher's concerns and granted Noriko the right to travel to Japan with the children. Shortly thereafter, Noriko absconded with the kids and refused to return to the U.S. A few days ago, Christopher went to Japan to get his children back. However, Japanese law stood in his way. Japan still considers him married to Noriko because they did not obtain a Japanese divorce. The children are Japanese. They have Japanese passports. Japanese family law favors the Mother in most custody disputes. Japan never signed the 1980 U.N. convention on child abduction.
Christopher took the children from his ex-wife while on their way to school. Dumb move Christopher. He immediately went to the nearest U.S. Consulate and while arguing with the guards, the local police had enough time to arrest him. He now sits in a Japanese jail.
Christopher Savoie is a Dad who wants to be involved with his kids. He loves his children. Despite making a series of stupid decisions like having an affair, marrying his mistress, and trying to kidnap his children in a foreign country, he still has every right to be an involved and loving Father.
We support your rights Christopher and hope to see you re-united with your children and back on U.S. soil soon. We hope you find a way to create a safe and loving family environment so that your children can be children and enjoy the process of growing up.
Original article - http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/02/japan.savoie.custody.battle/index.html
Update - Oct. 15, 2009 - Dad released from Japanese jail
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Even in purely domestic divorce cases, children too often become pawns in a selfish game of "gotcha" between the two parents. Joint custody certainly has its problems too, with children shuffling back and forth between locations. But the right of each parent to remain actively involved in the lives of their children should be at the core of Court decisions, unless one parent or the other truly represents a clear and present danger to the well being of the children.
That different cultures and nations see things differently than we do shouldn't be a shock to anyone today. But at least Japan seems willing to look into a change in such cases.
It's difficult for me to understand why parents act so reprehensibly; On the one hand they claim they're acting in the best interests of their children, while on the other hand seem to act 180 degrees from that direction. Is it to preserve their own image at the expense of the other parent? Or is it simple "gotcha"!?!
When will parents become adults?