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.

    • FlavoredButtHair@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      I remember telling a guy years ago, I don’t plan on getting married or having kids…"

      His response was", Oh no, you got to, that’s what the good lord wants. "

      I replied with" What he be a good lord if he wanted you to jump off a bridge and kill yourself? "

      He just walked away. I don’t understand why people feel the need to live a life based on religion. Believe in what you want, but don’t shove it in people’s mouth like a penis. Just let people live their lives however they want.

      • Shou@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        It’s all about power. People love having power and the men got their sky daddy’s favor.