Family Courts Denigrate Traditional Marriage By Devaluing Women And Children

It’s a very different world for men, than for women. And not that men don’t face their unfair share of abuse by society, because they do. In this one arena, however, they are privileged. They are privileged, at least as far as how family courts view men and women, in this specific situation.

I have a son, and I have a daughter. What I tell them about marriage, and planning for their futures differs wildly. This, coming from a very conservative, very traditional woman, sounds nothing but hypocritical. Unfortunately, because I love both of my children more than life, itself, I’ll abandon traditional values for their well being. Here’s why.

When you read this, you’ll think, well, you’ll think a lot of things, but what you need to know it that this is a problem as old as marriage itself and probably even worse today.

The Daily Mail outlines a high profile divorce as just one example, in America, how courts treat women as disposable objects.

 Joe Scarborough earns $99,038 a week from his morning show, but his ex-wife will only see a ‘tiny fraction’ of it, according to the couple’s divorce documents.
The MSNBC Morning Joe host will not be required to pay child support for their two young children and his alimony payments will be minimal, reports TMZ.

According to TMZ, the former Florida congressman gave Waren a once-off payment of $150,000 following the split. He will now be required to pay her $30,000 a month for the next five years, then $25,000 per month for two years.

Scarborough is also paying off the couple’s home in Connecticut as well as for their children Kate, 10, and five-year-old Jack’s education.

So, let’s break that down. His annual salary is in excess of $5,148,000. Over seven years, he earns $36.4 million and his ex will receive just a hair over $2.5 million, in addition to having her mortgage paid and children’s education covered. That’s just 7% of his income for only a few years, and then after that, nothing.

First, let’s acknowledge, there’s a strong cultural  statement here, in that the court ordered no child support. And even though this seems like a lot of money to most main street Americans, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to his income and the lifestyle she and the children lived when they were married.

And while it’s a relief that Scarborough’s ex and his children will never be living in a shelter, it’s not the case for other women across the country.

Meet Gail. She’s a 50+ woman who has been divorced since 2013. She is the mother of a special needs child who is non-verbal and will never be independent. During her 17 year marriage she was, and continues to be, the main caregiver for their daughter. She also worked part time as she was the provider of health insurance for the family. In fact, because of the high level of maintenance and care her daughter requires, working full time would be impossible.

She makes $20,000 per year. Her ex-husband earns in excess of $250,000 annually.

Here’s how things shook out for her in St. Charles County, Missouri family courts.

Non-modifiable maintenance of $1300 per month for 1 year, then $750 per month for 2 years. He got the house, after paying her, her share of the equity in it. And they divided known assets 50/50. She receives $745 per month in child support.

A discussion needs to be had as to why women are not being recognized for their contributions as homemakers and caregivers. They sacrifice career and earning potential and then, after divorce, family courts expect them to earn their own livings after being out of the work force for years/decades.

In Missouri, state statutes provide support for women like Gail. So why is she in this position?

This is not an uncommon story in St. Charles County, or in other municipalities across the country. Women, in long term marriages, are being kicked to the curb, not only by their ex husbands, but also by the courts.

Regardless of what career sacrifices women make in marriages to raise/care for family, their value in family courts is not recognized unless they bring home the bacon. So where does that leave them when their successful husbands leave? In a country that recognizes no-fault-divorce, women can be/are cast aside after dedicating years to family with, literally, no support.

In 2011, Phyllis Schlafly reported how ex husbands fall short of their post marital obligations leaving the government and taxpayers to pick up the slack.

Most Americans are unaware that about $700 Billion a year of federal taxpayers’ money is handed out to non-taxpayers allegedly below a poverty line (in addition to $250 Billion a year given out by the states). After Barack Obama became President, he increased federal welfare spending by a third because, as he promised during his campaign, he wants to “spread the wealth,” knowing that promotes dependence on government and votes for the Democrats.

This federal welfare apparatus consists of 69 means-tested programs: 12 programs providing food, 10 for housing assistance, 10 for social services, 9 for educational assistance, 8 programs giving cash, 8 for vocational training, 7 for medical assistance, 3 for energy and utility assistance, and 2 for child care and child development.

Is it your responsibility to foot the bill for women and children after divorce?

It’s important to note, Missouri, like many other states, have laws on the books that support women in these situations, but due to activist judges and a very liberal lawyer pool, the face of traditional marriage and family has been completely changed.

Image: Source

I want to hear from you. Do you have a similar story? Leave a comment below or contact me.