So I’m reading a novel titled A Half Forgotten Song by a British author. In the very first pages of the novel, a divorced woman decides to move to the US to be with her new husband. She takes her 6-year-old daughter with her even though the girl’s father strenuously objects. I find this very confusing because in my country a divorced parent cannot take a child to another country for a 3-day-long trip, let alone to live permanently, without a signed permission from the other parent. Which, of course, is the only civilized way of handling such issues.
My question is: does this issue really work this way in English-speaking countries? OK, the US hasn’t signed the Declaration of the Rights of Children. Kids are considered furniture that can be moved around as much as the owner sees fit. But what about other countries? Is this legal or is the writer I’m reading simply trying to create hype where none is necessary?
Clarissa's Blog 
Leave a comment