The Kate Winslet – Fathers4Justice Fight Explained
The issue brewing between Kate Winslet and Fathers4Justice
has gone global, with news outlets around the world warning that
Kate Winslet may sue Fathers4Justice over an advertisement that
Fathers4Justice recently ran in which they admonished Winslet
“Kate, every child deserves their father this Christmas.”
The full-page ad goes on to say “We congratulate Kate Winslet on
the birth of her new baby boy. However in a recent interview the
actress was quoted as saying,’My kids don’t go back and forth;
one of this 50/50 time with mums and dads – my children live with
me, that is it. That is it!’ We disagree. This year nearly 4 million
children will wake up without a father this Chrismas, often as the
result of outdated and prejudiced views which treat a nation of
first-class fathers as second-rate parents. We hope that Kate and
her son never experience the profound pain and loss of being
separated from their loved ones as millions of fathers and children will not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.”
Fathers4Justice is known for their over-the-top stunts in an effort to raise awareness about the plights of single fathers, including throwing flour-filled condoms into the chambers of the House of Commons, and the infamous Batman stunt.
Winslet took exception to the ad. Winslet’s attorney took exception to the ad. Even Winslet’s second ex-husband, Sam Mendes, took exception to the ad, rushing to Kate’s defense and saying that Fathers4Justice knows “nothing of our personal circumstances.”
On the other hand, Jim Threapleton, Winslet’s first husband, has in the past complained that Kate’s filming schedule in the U.S. had reduced his time with their daughter, Mia.
Winslet had made the statement during an interview with Vogue magazine.
Ms. Winslet spoke out against 50/50 parenting time for her, in her opinion, but not against fathers in general, or fathers’ being involved with their children in particular.
BUT, we can also see Fathers4Justice’s point. Winslet in an international celebrity. An icon, and a role model. Explained Fathers4Justice in their response to Winslet’s attorney, “Your client’s inflammatory and distressing comment will be used by many mothers to justify a position in which they act as sole guardians.”
Bottom line, in our view, is that Winslet should issue a clarification,and recognize and take responsibility for the fact that as a celebrity, everything she says is open to scrutiny, and possibly fair use. And Justice4Fathers should ratchet it down a notch.
