The Dissolution Advocates NW | LLC

Why it's important to promote gender equality during divorce proceedings?

Promoting gender equality in divorce proceedings prioritizes the best interests of the children involved. Factors such as each parent's caregiving abilities, involvement in the child's life, and ability to provide a stable and supportive environment are crucial. But what actually happens in family court and who benefits from divorce?

WHY ARE MOTHERS LOSING CUSTODY?

Because men don’t want to parent their children until they get divorced —Men who seek custody are more likely than not to get it. Abusive fathers are especially successful. Seventy-two percent win their custody cases. In one study where both parents fought hard for custody, mothers were awarded custody just 7% of the time.

Courts happily place children with documented male abusers and women lose custody when they report intimate partner violence. Family courts routinely discount even extreme cases of domestic violence. Even in cases of proven documented violence, family courts aims to maximize children’s time with fathers, disregarding the danger to children. Fathers who abuse their children are more likely to get custody when they seek it because the bias against mothers extends beyond spousal abuse. Courts are also eager to place children with male parents whom the child says has abused them, as a way to keep abusive men empowered within the system.

Even when the abusive fathers do not get sole custody, not one single abuser was denied contact with the child. Family court pathologizes the mother for attempting to protect the child, punishing her for her protective instincts and reducing her contact with the child. Tragically, when children are placed with abusive fathers, they experience new episodes of abuse shortly after the father gained sole custody.

Abusive fathers are using the courts as a tool of male entitlement Men’s rights activists aren’t interested in fatherhood, or empowering men, or protecting children, or whatever other nonsense they spew. Men’s rights activists have simple goals: they want abusive men to continue to avoid criminal penalties and benefit the most post-divorce. Additionally, they want to ensure women are further punished with economic hardship and time away from their children. They want children with fathers at all costs, even abusive ones.