(ANSA) - Italy may be known the world over as being the land of the 'mamma', but it is the only country in Europe to have a research body devoted specifically to studying fatherhood.
The Institute for Paternity Studies (ISP) was set up in 1988 to promote research in an area which had been grossly neglected and to encourage Italians to change their traditionally limited view of the father's role.
Its founder, journalist Maurizio Quilici, has been called on in recent years to address parliamentary committees examining a proposal to make joint custody of children the norm when parents divorce.
Quilici, who has himself been through the experience of being separated from his daughter, says it was no accident that the institute was born in Italy.
"In this country everything has traditionally revolved around the mother. There has been the idea that the 'mamma' is the crucial figure and the father is a sort of second class parent," he said.
"Things are changing gradually but the same ideas are still strong and pervade institutions. Even a lot of judges still basically think that kids should be with their mother."
Membership of the institute is open to anyone with an interest in fatherhood or, more generally, in the subjects of minors, the family and the parent-child relationship. About 20% of members are women.
Among other things, the institute aims to help fathers who are in difficulty, possibly after a separation or divorce, by providing expert lawyers and psychologists.
It also holds debates and conferences on issues related to fatherhood and offers a specialised library and press archive.
Quilici said that one of the institute s key concerns at present is the fate of a draft law which would change divorce and separation procedures in such a way as to guarantee dads regular contact with their offspring.
The bill, which is currently bogged down in the Italian parliament, in effect does away with single-parent custody of children - which usually goes the way of the mother - and makes joint custody the norm.
There are about 80,000 separations and 40,000 divorces annually in Italy. Last year judges gave the mother sole custody of the children in 84% of cases. Fathers had custody in 6.5% of cases and joint custody was decided for 8.8%.
In a bid to ensure a "balanced and continuing relationship" with both parents, the new bill demands that both estranged parents maintain their offspring financially on a day-to-day basis.
It also requires that they take all important decisions on the health and education of children together. Under the legislation, if parents cannot agree on something they are obliged to turn to public or private mediation services.
