John Stapleton's latest book, "Failure: Family Law Reform Australia", is a scathing critique of Australia’s family law system, timed to mark the 50th anniversary of the Family Law Act of 1975. It is a sobering tale of institutional overreach, human cost, and a democracy too timid to fix its own messes.

According to research from the Institute for Family Studies and the Wheatley Institute, there are four things which drastically increase the chance of a happy marriage, and as a result, greatly diminish the odds of divorce.

The adversarial nature of family law encouraged false accusations from the earliest days of its formation. Changes which have set in since the turn of the millennium ensure there is no consequence for making false accusations, at least on the mother’s part, and have simply made the situation worse.

On 5 January 1976, the Family Law Act 1975 came into effect. It was passed into law by just one vote. This marked a controversial and historically significant turning point for Australian family life.

Australia’s politicians are frightened of the very monster they created in family law, the literally hundreds of taxpayer-funded women’s legal services, advocacy groups, refuges, and an armada of feminist academics and activist judges.

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Family Law Act, the single most impactful and destructive piece of legislation to ever pass the Australian parliament.

There are a few well-researched, but often overlooked aspects to ensuring solid development in a child’s life. The first crucial component is the positive involvement of a father in the life of the child. The second is related to the marriage relationship between the father and mother.

Warren Farrell, once a leading figure in the National Organization for Women, pivoted his focus to men’s issues after recognising overlooked aspects of male experience. In “The Myth of Male Power”, Farrell argues that society has misunderstood the nature of power concerning gender.

“Divorced Dads: Shattering the Myths” by Sanford Braver is a seminal work that challenges many widely held beliefs about fathers post-divorce. Braver, a professor of psychology, embarked on this study with the aim of debunking myths through empirical research.

John Hirst’s long-form essay Kangaroo Court is an incisive critique of the Australian Family Court, analysing its operations, the social impact it has had, and the broader implications for justice and family law.

“Men on Strike: Why Men Are Boycotting Marriage, Fatherhood, and the American Dream — and Why It Matters” by Helen Smith explores the phenomenon of men opting out of traditional societal roles in an increasingly hostile environment towards masculinity and fatherhood.

“Should parents stay married for the children?” And, “Is a ‘good enough’ marriage good for kids?”

Contrary to popular belief, separation does not always end in divorce. Well supported, the process of separation can help a couple address their problems, reconcile and be together again stronger and better.

Hang in there, divorced dads. Keep pursuing connections with your kids. Remember that they’ll be adults and what you do now can help create a strong relationship then.

"Family Court Hell" by Mark Harris is a harrowing account of one man’s ten-year odyssey through the British family court system following the painful dissolution of his marriage.

Greg Ellis’s book, "The Respondent", stands as a poignant and candid exploration into the labyrinth of family law, where personal lives are often shattered by systemic biases and legal machinations.

Warren Farrell, known for his provocative insights into gender dynamics, uses this book to argue that societal, legal, and media portrayals often marginalise fathers, leading to detrimental effects on family structures and child development.

Have you ever thought about how your marriage looks to your children — or about how your attitudes toward marriage are influencing them? Your modelling influences your children’s perspectives and practices in their own marriages.

Stephen Baskerville’s "Taken into Custody: The War Against Fatherhood, Marriage, and the Family" presents a scathing critique of the American divorce and family court system, arguing that it systematically undermines the traditional family structure, particularly by marginalising fathers.

Fatherlessness is a growing problem all over the Western world. We urgently need to address the twin problems of fatherlessness and family breakdown. Until we tackle these problems, our children and our societies will continue to suffer.