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Missouri law bars divorce during pregnancy – even in cases of violence (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 years ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/news@lemmy.world

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The statute, which can lead to reproductive coercion in a state that has banned abortion, has recently gained nationwide attention

At six months pregnant, H decided enough was enough. She had endured years of abuse from her husband and had recently discovered he was also physically violent towards her child. She contacted an attorney to help her get a divorce.

But she was stopped short. Her lawyer told her that she could not finalize a divorce in Missouri because she was pregnant. “I just absolutely felt defeated,” she said. H returned to the house she shared with her abuser, sleeping in her child’s room on the floor and continuing to face violence. On the night before she gave birth, she slept in the most secure room in the house: on the tile floor in the basement, with the family’s dogs.

Under a Missouri statute that has recently gained nationwide attention, every petitioner for divorce is required to disclose their pregnancy status. In practice, experts say, those who are pregnant are barred from legally dissolving their marriage. “The application [of the law] is an outright ban,” said Danielle Drake, attorney at Parks & Drake. When Drake learned her then husband was having an affair, her own divorce stalled because she was pregnant. Two other states have similar laws: Texas and Arkansas.

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[-] Suavevillain@lemmy.world 35 points 2 years ago

Where did this shift of this country becoming full evil? It felt like people were learning to be more empathic then a huge sudden turn the other way.

[-] NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world 21 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

There was a big shift after 9/11 that kept growing and amplifying

Edit: hate breeds and fosters hate. 9/11 injected a lot of hate

[-] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago

This goes back to the 70s at least. Desegregation and the sexual revolution really pissed off conservatives. They saw how the court was expanding rights and realized the power controlling the courts allowed. Since then their project has been to seize control of the judicial system by any means necessary.

[-] fossilesque@mander.xyz 11 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/corporate-takeover-american-politics

This is what you're probably referring to. I highly recommend reading the document mentioned. It's enlightening to say the least.

[-] GladiusB@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago

Oh. So it's innate. Neat.

[-] fossilesque@mander.xyz 10 points 2 years ago

It's not a bug, it's a feature!

[-] Zanudous@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

It's always been a feature which boiled up to the civil war, but instead of actually solving the issue, we kept kicking the can down the road. This is the government of stakeholders, just because on paper we broadened the election rights to a larger pool of people, doesn't mean your vote means anything in who gets paid and who's interest gets represented. That being said,, plz vote D in the general. Just go read the project 2025 if you're not convinced.

this post was submitted on 15 Mar 2024

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