June 23, 2011Dear Sir,I am personally disgusted with Bermuda’s laws with respect to the adoption process. I recently called Family Services to apply for adoption which will entitle my child’s paternal father to become a “legal” guardian along with myself. I was told that this would not be possible because he and I are not married.Apparently the law states that only a married couple, a single female or a relative of the family can adopt a child. A male is not eligible to adopt a child unless he’s married to the child’s mother. Others options would be, he can apply to adopt my child OR if my child’s paternal father was married he and his wife could file for adoption of my child, this will mean I will lose my rights to my child, are tyou serious! Why would a “good” mother such as myself give up her entire legal rights to her child?During this conversation I was asked why is it so important for my child’s paternal father to become her legal father, why don’t he just continuing playing the role? My answer is why not? In my opinion both my child and paternal father have the right to be legally bound, he has actively played the role of father to my child physically, emotionally and financially since one month old but because we decided to be friends and not husband and wife he cannot legally adopt my child. With all these children that running around Bermuda without an active father in their lives the law is telling me that my child will be denied the opportunity to have a legal father. WELL isn’t this Law amazing. Our Court System and Laws are claimed to be helping our children only seem to be hindering.I have had a close friend recently take her child’s father to court and he was able to freely just give up his legal rights to his child simply because he did not want the responsibility that comes with parenting. So the Law is allowing men to be dead beat dads and give up their right but excellent paternal fathers can’t obtain any rights. I do not see why this is a problem especially if I as the mother of the child is in approval. I am deeply saddened by this. A parent isn’t someone that provides the DNA to produce the child but is one who unconditionally raises, cares for, loves and emotionally, physically and financially supports the child.So what do you Family Services, Family Court, and Bermuda Law Enforcers propose that we do? Should he and I conveniently get married, file for adoption and once the adoption is legalszed and the years have passed by which we are allowed to get a divorce then divorce?We need help in how thisLLaw can be challenged to entitle my child and my child’s paternal father what they deserve?DEEPLY SADDENEDSt George’s