Working Moms Losing Custody Battles in Divorce
Hi all:
I wanted to share this sobering article from Working Mother Magazine with you. It is about an emerging trend: women losing custody battles in divorce. It may not surprise anyone to hear about the increasing number of women taking on the role of breadwinner for their families while their husbands stay home and manage the kids. But there appears to be an after-shock if you land in divorce court. After reading this, I have to ask, have women broken through glass ceilings and conquered careers only to lose custody of their children? I really, truly hope not.
When I went through my divorce, I was resentful of having to completely support our household financially and do everything on the home-front plus child-rearing. I was so exhausted. After reading this article, I am thankful.
My heart is breaking for Julie, the woman highlighted in this piece, titled “Custody Lost” by Sally Abrahms. She was seeking joint custody and instead, her husband was awarded primary custody.
Let me know what you think after you take a read, the link is:
http://www.workingmother.com/?service=vpage/106
– Swati
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Very frightening! There seem to be many out-of-whack policies in divorce. Some things are outdated now that women are in the workforce and NEED to be when they are single mothers as head of household. But this means losing parental rights?! Insane! Outrageous!
Hi Jen:
I know – I am so shocked this woman did not get joint custody!
– Swati
Don’t hate me. But can I point out that a lot of my men friends lost custody of their kids and the wife got them because she is the mom. Meanwhile, in these cases, the dad was actually way better for the kids? Happened to my nephews. Their mom is mentally unstable. My brother-in-law remarried, a WONDERFUL woman. She can control the kids and they respect her and listen to her. She is Super Stepmom. It would be best for the boys if the dad got full custody but the kids didn’t get to go to the right people in this case. He barely got any custody and it was hard on the boys and their dad.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your comment. I’m so sorry to hear about your nephews. You’re right, the injustices go both ways. I just don’t see why the judge didn’t do joint custody in both cases.
Custody and visitation are separate – so assuming the divorce decree lays out visits for your nephews, they should be able to see their dad or their mother would be in violation of the agreement. I hope your brother-in-law pursues it.
My best,
Swati
Ps I welcome all points of view…
I have a friend who has a dead beat husband who stays home and does nothing while she is out earning a living for their family. He does not even manage to watch their child. Who knows what he does with his time? But she is afraid to divorce him because she could potentially owe major alimony, since she is the breadwinner of the family. Things get all mixed up sometimes. It totally sucks, esp. when you are doing the right thing by your family.
Oh Naomi – I am so sorry to hear that. Of course your friend knows best what to do because she’s the one mired in it; but I can’t help myself to share one thought with her…3 years of alimony is probably worth it to get her life back…she’s a breadwinner and is capable of making it back. Quality of life is a huge price to pay. I traded our financial assets to get out of my divorce asap; and I haven’t regretted it.
– Swati
Thank you for your comment @singlemommyhood, leading me here! Great site. (I was one of the founders of Literary Mama. Woo eee!).
As you’ve pointed out, this custody issue is not black and white. I’ve done some research on this report recently, too.
It’s great that fathers are taking a different road than many of their own fathers, and really taking part in their kids’ lives.
Because courts are SO overwhelmed these days, it seems like it’s ideal for any divorcing couple to keep their negotiations OUT of court, and really keep their anger and sadness separate from what’s best for their children.
I’m blown away by my friends who’ve gone for collaborative divorce and really remained amicable — and PRESENT for their kids.
Thanks for that comment Single Mom Seeking (Rachel)…it’s great advice for anyone going through the process. My ex and I were not able to stay away from the courts and I so regret it.
Swati