The history of women and divorce and is a long and shameful one. Women were not allowed land, money, their children, or any personal property when they sought divorces. As times changed and women achieved more rights, laws became more neutral to ensure that both parties received the same recognition under the law. As you know from the material you have studied, what the law states and what is actually implemented are two very different things. What issues do women suffer today when they seek divorce? Specify legal and social.
If there is a custody issue over a newborn, what considerations go into determining who gets the baby (assume joint custody is not an option)? Assume that both parents are stable and have no criminal history or any other issue that might be used against them – what reasons would you argue for the mother to receive the newborn? What reasons would you use for the father?
Write a detailed plan to restructure child support laws. Include legal and constitutional ways to force child support payments, the allotted amount of missed payments before action occurs, and what your plan would achieve.
Most laws involved with marriage and child custody can be traced back to government incentives to be married. This has unfairly punished single parents by offering less tax credits and other benefits allotted to a family as opposed to a single parent. Welfare and other government benefits are difficult to get without living below the poverty level and a simple raise of 25 cents can prevent someone from getting child care subsidies, housing subsidies, or SNAP (food stamps). What policy changes would you recommend to better accommodate single parents? Should marriage be rewarded in today’s society if there will be a clear burden on single parents? Are the religious and societfktal implications of marriage outdated?
