A shared parenting law is being hailed as the way for moms and dads to work together to guide impressionable children away from gang violence.Plans for Government to introduce new parenting legislation were welcomed by campaigners who believe both parents need to stay in a child’s life following the break up of a relationship.The Throne Speech on Friday stated that parents being given equal rights and responsibilities was “a critical component” to reduce gang membership.Shared parenting arrangements encourage both biological parents to be actively involved in a child’s upbringing.ChildWatch co-founder Eddie Tavares said he was “very excited” by the Throne Speech announcement as shared parenting was long overdue in Bermuda.He is a firm believer that children who are caught up in the breakdown of families are contributing to the spiralling crime rate plaguing our streets.Mr Tavares said: “This is absolutely wonderful news. I’m absolutely hopeful the new law will work; it will change the outcome of children’s lives.“About 50 countries already have shared parenting laws and it really makes a difference.“It’s a positive thing and really would be workable in Bermuda. Gangs started back in the 1920s in America because teens were estranged from their families, so that’s where the focus should remain.”Mr Tavares, who has been campaigning for shared parenting for about 20 years, said such legislation was already in place in several US states, as well as Denmark, France and Australia.The new law would come into effect when a couple split up, separated or divorced and is expected to include mediation and co-parenting contracts “to put children’s needs first”. It is understood that magistrates would also be able to hand out shared parenting orders.Mr Tavares said: “Shared parenting gives the same rights to both parents so they both play a part in their children’s life.“Children are impressionable but both parents working together can keep them on the straight and narrow. It will prevent them turning to street life.“A father seeing his child just at weekends just isn’t enough, it’s not enough time to instil a child with the right values.”Mr Tavares hopes parenting contracts being drawn up will also reduce the number of child custody cases in court. He added that parents needed to be “stopped from fighting over children”.Although details have not yet been revealed, the Throne Speech also hinted at plans to improve parenting skills and tighten up the powers of the Bermuda Family Council, which is a government-appointed body.As Sir Richard Gozney read out the Throne Speech on Friday, he said: “A critical component in the fight to reduce gang membership is preserving and strengthening the family unit, regardless of whether or not both parents live in the same home.“The Government will provide the Bermuda Family Council with a statutory footing. The Council’s aim is to promote family cohesion through the development of effective parenting skills.“Also in support of families, the Government will establish shared parenting legislation which will seek to avoid bias and provide parents with equal rights and responsibilities when it comes to the welfare of their children.”