I agree with my colleague's assessment of the Petty decision with one exception. I can see where a parent's interest in casual sex with strangers could pose a danger to children: if the strangers enter the home and become aware children live there, it's possible that the stranger could later target the children for abduction and the like. I guess the same could happen if Mr. Petty spoke too freely about his family with the stranger.
But, those concerns aside, so long as Mr. Petty uses good judgment in building a wall between his activities and his children, I don't think his conduct should be an issue in the absence of evidence that it has a negative effect on the children.
Thank you for an informative web site! I am curious as to your opinion re: Petty v Petty (blog entry 23 May 2005). If the father had sent pictures of his 10-year-old daughter to contacts that he had made through adult web sites, do you think that would have changed the court's ruling?
Also, if the father left browser windows open on a shared family computer where the child had access, do you think that also might influence the outcome?
I am in a situation (and have counsel) where STBXH has done both, in addition to providing identifying information that could have led an internet contact to our marital home where our child and I were residing, while separated from STBXH but (aaaargh!) living under the same roof.
I am curious if you think peripherally bringing the child into his activities - vs. keeping them as a private pursuit - would make a significant difference.
I do want to share physical custody, but am having second thoughts on joint legal based on his psychological history, impulse control issues, etc.
Thank you!
Commenting by HaloScan
