Motherhood on Trial | 13
A chat about mothers and family court. After years of researching and documenting women’s experiences in family court, Elle and Natalie share their observations and insights of what happens in this very hidden and secret world. Through the lens of “what’s old is new,” we discover that while the tools have changed, the aim is the same - to punish women who dare to defy the patriarchal script for marriage and motherhood. What used to be the scold’s bridle, lobotomy, or being thrown in the psych ward - today looks more like gag orders, criminalization of mothers, forced impoverishment through vexatious litigation, and many other legal instruments that sabotage the mother-child relationship.
In this episode, we talk about how the system of family court is used by abusers to maintain their power and control, we talk about the misogyny that permeates the institution, and share the shock most women experience upon discovering the realities of these courts. We highlight how this is not a court of law, but rather a court of discretion which has no oversight, transparency or accountability. In Motherhood on Trial, we try to understand why this is happening and what we can do to disengage from, and fight, the damage being done to women through this multibillion dollar industry.
EPISODE LINKS
Project 2025 - Fatherhood p.481
Grant Wyeth | Subject to Power
Three Planets Model - Marianne Hester | What Doesn’t Kill Me
Joan Meier 2020 Study on Child Custody Outcomes
UN Special Rapporteur on VAW&G | Reem Alsalem
UN Report on Parental Alienation
Family Court Power and Control Wheel
NY Senate Joint Public Hearing on Family Courts 2023
Wendy Murphy on the ERA | Phil in the Blanks
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