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Taken Into Custody: The War Against Fathers, Marriage, and the Family
Taken into Custody' exposes the greatest and most destructive civil rights abuse in America today. Family courts and Soviet-style bureaucracies trample basic civil liberties, entering homes uninvited and taking away people's children at will, then throwing the parents into jail without any form of due process, much less a trial. No parent, no child, no family in America is safe. The legal industry does not want you to hear this story. Radical feminists, bar associations, and social work bureaucracies have colluded to suppress this information. Even pro-family"" groups and civil libertarians look the other way. Yet it is a reality for tens of millions of Americans who are our neighbors.""
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2007
About the author
Stephen Baskerville
3 books17 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 19, 2012
Contrary to popular belief (and centuries of common-law precedent), child support today has nothing to do with fathers abandoning their children, reneging on their marital vows, or even agreeing to a divorce. It is automatically assessed on all non-custodial parents, even those divorced over their objections and who lose their children through no legal fault or agreement of their own. It is an entitlement, in other words, for all divorcing mothers and one coerced not from taxpayers (though they pay too) but directly from involuntarily divorced spouses. A legally unimpeachable parent minding his own business can lose not only his children but his property and earnings and can be incarcerated without trial through "no fault" of his own.
-Taken into Custody, p112
That paragraph illustrates the main point of this book. 310 pages are devoted to further and interrelated aspects of the problem: a powerful bureaucratic divorce machine that benefits from encouraging, tempting, threatening, and in some cases forcing married couples to divorce -- and custody of the unfortunate children is the carrot/stick with which it gets its way. Wherever it involves itself, the father very often is treated as a criminal and soon finds that his constitutional rights have evaporated -- especially if he did NOT initiate the divorce.
This was a worthwhile read, although the book is thick and I admit I did a fair amount of skimming. (The beginning of chapter six almost lost me.) I believe the author went out of his way to make sure critics couldn't accuse him of not backing up his claims; each chapter contains a multitude of material supporting its main point, plus footnotes everywhere. This makes for dense reading, and I got tired of being told the same story (as it happened to different people) multiple times. However, it's good that he was so thorough, since he seems to be bracing for opposition and possibly name-calling. (Can't imagine why.)
Also, I suppose some Americans have a hard time believing that outrages like this can be taking place en masse. (The author himself addresses this.) As someone who grew up un/homeschooled before it was strictly legal, I don't have any problem believing that government officials can be quick to remove children from their parents. It almost happened to my parents (their defiance saved us), and it did happen to their friends.
I never knew that parents -- and especially fathers -- are being so systematically gutted by "family court" systems. I have heard horror stories, and I know of men in my circle of acquaintances that have suffered terribly at the hands of their custodial and vindictive ex-wife. I did not know that it was such a common occurrence, and that I find appalling.
It's saddening, too, to realize that the logical outcome will be eligible men "smartening up" and not getting married. Who would want to, if the most solemn contract one ever undertakes is in fact not binding? That IS fraudulent.
I wish that the essential facts of the book were available in a succinct pamphlet form. I give it four and a half stars since readability was a bit of an issue.
-Taken into Custody, p112
That paragraph illustrates the main point of this book. 310 pages are devoted to further and interrelated aspects of the problem: a powerful bureaucratic divorce machine that benefits from encouraging, tempting, threatening, and in some cases forcing married couples to divorce -- and custody of the unfortunate children is the carrot/stick with which it gets its way. Wherever it involves itself, the father very often is treated as a criminal and soon finds that his constitutional rights have evaporated -- especially if he did NOT initiate the divorce.
This was a worthwhile read, although the book is thick and I admit I did a fair amount of skimming. (The beginning of chapter six almost lost me.) I believe the author went out of his way to make sure critics couldn't accuse him of not backing up his claims; each chapter contains a multitude of material supporting its main point, plus footnotes everywhere. This makes for dense reading, and I got tired of being told the same story (as it happened to different people) multiple times. However, it's good that he was so thorough, since he seems to be bracing for opposition and possibly name-calling. (Can't imagine why.)
Also, I suppose some Americans have a hard time believing that outrages like this can be taking place en masse. (The author himself addresses this.) As someone who grew up un/homeschooled before it was strictly legal, I don't have any problem believing that government officials can be quick to remove children from their parents. It almost happened to my parents (their defiance saved us), and it did happen to their friends.
I never knew that parents -- and especially fathers -- are being so systematically gutted by "family court" systems. I have heard horror stories, and I know of men in my circle of acquaintances that have suffered terribly at the hands of their custodial and vindictive ex-wife. I did not know that it was such a common occurrence, and that I find appalling.
It's saddening, too, to realize that the logical outcome will be eligible men "smartening up" and not getting married. Who would want to, if the most solemn contract one ever undertakes is in fact not binding? That IS fraudulent.
I wish that the essential facts of the book were available in a succinct pamphlet form. I give it four and a half stars since readability was a bit of an issue.
February 28, 2011
This book was a real eye opener. I had the idea that it was the men who ran off with "Tiffany" and left the women and children behind. Both this book and my experience is that there are so many more women who are leaving with the kids and the husband is left behind, often forced to leave his home, get an expensive lawyer and fight to see his kids.
This book also presented the idea that "No Fault Divorce" is the only contract where one person can break the contract and force the other person to pay. The left behind spouse has to get a lawyer, divide his or her income, be faced with hardly seeing his/her own children and often forced out of the house he/she has paid for. There is something seriously wrong here.
So often, the person who leaves has an unrealistic idea of what the future is going to hold. They see themselves as getting on in a new life and building a life with someone eles, leaving the old problems behind. Unfortunately, when that dream is crashed it is too late. They end up with vastly reduced circumstances, a more demmanding job to pay the additional expenses and children who are unhappy and very frequently having behavioral problems which take their lives in a totally different direction.
This book is important for all fathers involved in a divorce to read. It is not just "the other side", it is a cost that society pays as well as the involved parties. No one would sign a business contract in which one partner could leave and not pay a penalty; and especially leaving the other partner holding the bag and paying for the default while loosing most of the assets. Divorce is costing everyone and society has a right to limit the behavior of people whose actions are going to impact it. This book doesn't say that there should be no divorce, but that "no fault" does not serve society or the children of these marriages.
This book also presented the idea that "No Fault Divorce" is the only contract where one person can break the contract and force the other person to pay. The left behind spouse has to get a lawyer, divide his or her income, be faced with hardly seeing his/her own children and often forced out of the house he/she has paid for. There is something seriously wrong here.
So often, the person who leaves has an unrealistic idea of what the future is going to hold. They see themselves as getting on in a new life and building a life with someone eles, leaving the old problems behind. Unfortunately, when that dream is crashed it is too late. They end up with vastly reduced circumstances, a more demmanding job to pay the additional expenses and children who are unhappy and very frequently having behavioral problems which take their lives in a totally different direction.
This book is important for all fathers involved in a divorce to read. It is not just "the other side", it is a cost that society pays as well as the involved parties. No one would sign a business contract in which one partner could leave and not pay a penalty; and especially leaving the other partner holding the bag and paying for the default while loosing most of the assets. Divorce is costing everyone and society has a right to limit the behavior of people whose actions are going to impact it. This book doesn't say that there should be no divorce, but that "no fault" does not serve society or the children of these marriages.
March 23, 2026
Originally published in 2007, Taken Into Custody: The War Against Fathers, Marriage, and the Family by Stephen Baskerville takes an uncompromising, scholarly, and deeply provocative look at how modern family law operates (particularly in the United States) and its impact on fathers, marriage, and the institution of the family. Stephen Baskerville, a political scientist and longtime researcher on fatherhood and family policy, argues that far from being a neutral judicial system, the contemporary “divorce regime” effectively undermines traditional family structures and systematically disadvantages fathers.
Baskerville frames his central thesis around the idea that family law, especially since the advent of no-fault divorce in the 1960s, has evolved into a bureaucratic apparatus that can tear families apart with minimal regard for due process, equal parental rights, or the best interests of children. He explores how family courts, supported by state bureaucracies and professional interests, often marginalise fathers in custody and support decisions while eroding fundamental civil liberties. The book blends legal, political, and sociological perspectives with case studies and historical analysis to argue that the system is structurally biased and socially corrosive...
Strengths
1. Bold framing of family law as a systemic issue: Rather than treating divorce and custody battles as isolated or emotionally driven events, Baskerville situates them within a broader legal-political framework that challenges readers to rethink assumptions about fairness, gender neutrality, and the state’s role in private life. This macro perspective is both rare and intellectually stimulating.
2. Evidence and anecdotal depth: He marshals a wide array of examples (legal decisions, statistical trends, and personal narratives) to demonstrate how fathers can be disproportionately affected by custody decisions, child support enforcement, and related sanctions, including incarceration for inability to pay. For those unfamiliar with these patterns, this evidence can be eye-opening.
3. Constitutional critique: The book’s sustained focus on due process, civil liberties, and the constitutional dimensions of family courts pushes readers to consider family law not just as social policy but as a domain where citizens’ most basic rights are at stake.
Weaknesses
1. Tone and generalisation: Baskerville’s tone can lean toward polemic rather than balanced analysis, sometimes framing the entire system as monolithically hostile without sufficiently acknowledging legal safeguards or the diversity of family law outcomes. This can make the argument seem less persuasive to readers seeking nuanced policy debate rather than advocacy.
2. Limited engagement with counterarguments: While the book is exhaustive in its critique of existing structures, it engages less with scholarship that identifies benefits of reforms like no-fault divorce or joint custody arrangements. This narrower focus may frustrate readers looking for a more dialectical exploration of competing perspectives.
3. Practical guidance: For individuals navigating divorce or custody issues, the book highlights systemic problems but offers relatively limited concrete legal or emotional support strategies, which means its value is more analytical than directly pragmatic.
Taken Into Custody is a challenging and thought-provoking work that will resonate most with readers interested in law, public policy, family studies, and civil liberties. Its strength lies in reframing family law issues as matters of political power and constitutional rights rather than merely personal hardship. However, its polemical voice and strong advocacy stance mean it may be less compelling for those seeking a more balanced academic treatment.
Who would benefits most from reading this book?
- Legal scholars and students examining family law and civil liberties
- Policymakers and advocates focused on custody reform and fatherhood issues
- Anyone interested in the intersection of law, government power, and family dynamics
Whether you agree with Baskerville’s conclusions or not, Taken Into Custody has earned a place as a serious contribution to conversations about family policy, justice, and the social fabric.
Baskerville frames his central thesis around the idea that family law, especially since the advent of no-fault divorce in the 1960s, has evolved into a bureaucratic apparatus that can tear families apart with minimal regard for due process, equal parental rights, or the best interests of children. He explores how family courts, supported by state bureaucracies and professional interests, often marginalise fathers in custody and support decisions while eroding fundamental civil liberties. The book blends legal, political, and sociological perspectives with case studies and historical analysis to argue that the system is structurally biased and socially corrosive...
Strengths
1. Bold framing of family law as a systemic issue: Rather than treating divorce and custody battles as isolated or emotionally driven events, Baskerville situates them within a broader legal-political framework that challenges readers to rethink assumptions about fairness, gender neutrality, and the state’s role in private life. This macro perspective is both rare and intellectually stimulating.
2. Evidence and anecdotal depth: He marshals a wide array of examples (legal decisions, statistical trends, and personal narratives) to demonstrate how fathers can be disproportionately affected by custody decisions, child support enforcement, and related sanctions, including incarceration for inability to pay. For those unfamiliar with these patterns, this evidence can be eye-opening.
3. Constitutional critique: The book’s sustained focus on due process, civil liberties, and the constitutional dimensions of family courts pushes readers to consider family law not just as social policy but as a domain where citizens’ most basic rights are at stake.
Weaknesses
1. Tone and generalisation: Baskerville’s tone can lean toward polemic rather than balanced analysis, sometimes framing the entire system as monolithically hostile without sufficiently acknowledging legal safeguards or the diversity of family law outcomes. This can make the argument seem less persuasive to readers seeking nuanced policy debate rather than advocacy.
2. Limited engagement with counterarguments: While the book is exhaustive in its critique of existing structures, it engages less with scholarship that identifies benefits of reforms like no-fault divorce or joint custody arrangements. This narrower focus may frustrate readers looking for a more dialectical exploration of competing perspectives.
3. Practical guidance: For individuals navigating divorce or custody issues, the book highlights systemic problems but offers relatively limited concrete legal or emotional support strategies, which means its value is more analytical than directly pragmatic.
Taken Into Custody is a challenging and thought-provoking work that will resonate most with readers interested in law, public policy, family studies, and civil liberties. Its strength lies in reframing family law issues as matters of political power and constitutional rights rather than merely personal hardship. However, its polemical voice and strong advocacy stance mean it may be less compelling for those seeking a more balanced academic treatment.
Who would benefits most from reading this book?
- Legal scholars and students examining family law and civil liberties
- Policymakers and advocates focused on custody reform and fatherhood issues
- Anyone interested in the intersection of law, government power, and family dynamics
Whether you agree with Baskerville’s conclusions or not, Taken Into Custody has earned a place as a serious contribution to conversations about family policy, justice, and the social fabric.
March 9, 2010
We do not fully comprehend the depths policy makers have gone for ideology, power, and money. The modern state is completely subversive to the very foundation of this nation, of any stable society, the family.
The state's approach is pretty simple. Undermine masculinity. Entice mom to leave the bum by promising that she will get the kids and money to care for them. If dad doesn't pay up, felony charges, jailtime, debt, lifetime hounding and alienation.
Almost all divorces are initiated by women and custody is granted to the woman upwards of 85% of the time along with high child support award. The facts and statistics are all in the book.
Americans are ignorant of what their government is doing to them.
The information and analysis in the book is good. It could use some editing though. It is a bit repetitive.
The state's approach is pretty simple. Undermine masculinity. Entice mom to leave the bum by promising that she will get the kids and money to care for them. If dad doesn't pay up, felony charges, jailtime, debt, lifetime hounding and alienation.
Almost all divorces are initiated by women and custody is granted to the woman upwards of 85% of the time along with high child support award. The facts and statistics are all in the book.
Americans are ignorant of what their government is doing to them.
The information and analysis in the book is good. It could use some editing though. It is a bit repetitive.
September 28, 2009
A major book on civil rights.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews