No, I’m not assuming that because my friend had a hard time gaining “sole” custody (and yes, I know perfectly well what that means) that it is different for women because I know it’s not different for women. It’s much easier for women to gain “sole” custody (why did you keep putting that word in quotations, by the way?) This is precisely why I challenged everybody who read my last comment to give any family law attorney a call and ask them if there is a gender bias when it comes to matters of family law. I knew, as surely as the sun rises and sets each day, that somebody like you would come along, read my last comment and immediately jump to the conclusion that based solely on my friend’s experience, I’m assuming that it’s more difficult for men to gain “sole” custody of children from abusive spouses when in reality, my point is based, in addition to my friend’s experience, on the countless experiences of family law attorneys across the country that I know for a fact (because I’ve spoken to many) corroborate my affirmation that family law, due to misguided acts of congress (i.e., violence against women act), favors women. Perhaps if you had read my comment in its entirety, you would’ve seen that. You’re absolutely wrong and I think you know you are. You’re just following standard feminist protocol: you don’t have to be right, you just have to outargue the other person.

Wow You are full of anger. You should fit right in. Good luck. I have not painted anyone anything. I wish you the best God bless you.rnrnPatrick Burke IPhonernMay God bless you.

uh, you’re assuming that because your friend had a hard time gaining “sole” custody that it is different for women? Do you know what “sole” custody means? Obviously not. Having been in that line of work, it is just as hard for women (if not harder) to gain “sole” custody of children from abusive husbands. You’re extremely misinformed.

you are ridiculous. seriously ridiculous. I’m a republican female , from a republican family. We have no democrats. I went to college, and was always taught I could be anything I wanted. I took a back seat to no one. I was never taught that. Stop painting all republicans with the same brush. You sound ignorant. (well you obviously are)nnand this was in reply to Diane

Yes, thank you for an eloquent and insightful reply, agreed!

It took a friend of mine (who, by the way, has been gainfully employed since his teens and doesn’t have so much as a speeding ticket on his record) years to secure sole custody of his children even though his ex-wife is (and it’s been thoroughly documented) drug-addicted, abusive in every way, and has never been able to hold down a job. Do you think that if roles were reversed that the courts would even so much as let my friend see his kids? They wouldn’t hesitate a nanosecond to award sole custody to her. Does this sound like equality to you? If you think I’m full of it, call any family law attorney in your local yellow pages. I’ve no doubt that they would have countless stories not unlike this one to relate to you.

“When it comes to family law, men and women are anything but equal.”nnExample, please?

The closed minded, elitist feminists – those who you’re referring to – are the ones who receive the most face time because they have the most “shocking” and “drastic” views. nI encourage you to read some feminist theory to better understand all of the different schools of feminism and the ways in which they strive to incorporate any person, men included, into the movement.

Thank you Patrick.nI am realizing that I never really say this out loud to my friends who are parents (and should start), but I am honestly and profoundly grateful to those who are raising and nurturing our nation’s children. You guys do continue to inspire me – the multi-tasking alone is an amazing feat, not to mention all the cultural and political forces that bear down on your children’s lives, seeming to “undo” what you’ve done. But really, it won’t come undone. You know where your heart is, and it is in the right place. Your daughters will ultimately be strong and engaged with the world because of you. And even though you and I may disagree about the [perceived] dangers of certain cultural forces or ideas, I am always willing to take a look at the philosophy to the other side. And I’m always willing to be persuaded – that is, I demand a certain flexibility to my own consciousness in the pursuit of truth and “rightness”. I think it’s important that both sides understand that we do what we do because of love – I firmly believe that. (If I change my mind about *that* I’ll let you know, but I would suspect that you’d agree with me.) Anyway, I apologize for the long-windedness; but thank you for sharing your thoughts and best wishes to you too. :)

I understand. I am simply tired of individuals who want to argue over silly topics. I am not saying that is you I am simply generalizing. rnrnPatrick Burke IPhonernMay God bless you.

Actually, it wasn’t my statement, I just wanted to clarify whether you were willing to debate here or just attack. It just seems pointless to me to go through the effort of typing something out when all you want to do is throw a rock.nnBut thanks for a thoughtful response, I like much of what you say. And, as with most parents I meet (whether Republican or Democrat) and speak with, I admire your devotion to your children, and want the same things for them.

Samsara, This is a topic I don’t really want to argue. Havining two Daughters and getting them prepared for the world I believe they must realize the world is not divided into Dem/Rep. It is right and wrong and both sides have thier fair share of each. I bring them up in the traditional Judeo Christian beliefs and want them to realize they are strong and take the back seat to noone. They need to make their decisions with all the info they can obtain while trying to hold to their values. Neither I nor anyone else can dictate their path. So to sum it up your statement that supporting Reps is detrimental to the forward progress of women is as I stated earlier ignorant or simply disingenuous

Your post doesn’t even contain an argument.

Who is suppressing their right to profess their beliefs? nnFor the record, I don’t mind hearing from conservatives, especially when we can all stay on topic. And I have never, would never, tell another woman she is not a feminist, I have no right to decide that for her.

Clearly ignorant and shows a lack of …. well it should be obvious