The ongoing struggle for mothers to secure custody of their children is a deeply entrenched issue in modern society. A new book by Lara Feigel delves into this complex problem, weaving together historical accounts, personal narratives, and journalistic reportage to create a compelling, if sometimes disjointed, portrait.
Feigel's journey begins with the tale of Caroline Norton, an 19th-century woman who fought tirelessly for her children after their father took them away. Her courage laid the groundwork for future generations of mothers, but also left behind a legacy of pain and heartache. The author's account is interwoven with that of other women, including French novelist George Sand and American writer Elizabeth Packard, whose experiences were marred by patriarchal oppression and societal expectations.
Fast forward to modern times, where the struggle for custody remains a contentious issue. Feigel's book brings together the stories of contemporary mothers, including Britney Spears, who was forced into psychiatric treatment after a highly publicized breakdown, and Alice Walker, whose daughter felt abandoned by her father's refusal to share parenting responsibilities.
Throughout the book, Feigel shines a light on the complexities of motherhood and the often-insurmountable obstacles that women face in their quest for custody. Her research is thorough and thought-provoking, but at times, the narrative feels disjointed, jumping between different eras and storylines with little transition.
One can't help but feel a sense of disappointment when reading Feigel's conclusion, which hints at a future where motherhood and emancipation might coexist without strife. The stories she has shared paint a picture of a system that is still woefully inadequate in its treatment of children caught in the middle of custody battles.
Ultimately, this book serves as a reminder of the work still to be done in advocating for mothers' rights and creating a more just and compassionate society for all families. While it may not offer a clear path forward, it sheds light on a pressing issue that requires attention and action from policymakers, advocates, and individuals alike.
Feigel's journey begins with the tale of Caroline Norton, an 19th-century woman who fought tirelessly for her children after their father took them away. Her courage laid the groundwork for future generations of mothers, but also left behind a legacy of pain and heartache. The author's account is interwoven with that of other women, including French novelist George Sand and American writer Elizabeth Packard, whose experiences were marred by patriarchal oppression and societal expectations.
Fast forward to modern times, where the struggle for custody remains a contentious issue. Feigel's book brings together the stories of contemporary mothers, including Britney Spears, who was forced into psychiatric treatment after a highly publicized breakdown, and Alice Walker, whose daughter felt abandoned by her father's refusal to share parenting responsibilities.
Throughout the book, Feigel shines a light on the complexities of motherhood and the often-insurmountable obstacles that women face in their quest for custody. Her research is thorough and thought-provoking, but at times, the narrative feels disjointed, jumping between different eras and storylines with little transition.
One can't help but feel a sense of disappointment when reading Feigel's conclusion, which hints at a future where motherhood and emancipation might coexist without strife. The stories she has shared paint a picture of a system that is still woefully inadequate in its treatment of children caught in the middle of custody battles.
Ultimately, this book serves as a reminder of the work still to be done in advocating for mothers' rights and creating a more just and compassionate society for all families. While it may not offer a clear path forward, it sheds light on a pressing issue that requires attention and action from policymakers, advocates, and individuals alike.
It feels like mom's always getting left behind in these battles. The stories shared in this book are so heartbreaking, especially with women like Britney Spears who were pushed to the brink. It's crazy that Alice Walker's daughter felt abandoned by her dad's lack of involvement. 
I wish more people would speak out about this issue, it's time for change! 
We need a system that works for everyone, not just one or the other. 
, but I guess its purpose is to shine some light on the tough issues mothers face when fighting for custody of their kids. I mean, who wouldn't want a more just system in place? 
The author's research seems thorough, and it's crazy to think that Britney Spears had to go through all that 
.
. I get why she wanted to share the stories of these famous women, but sometimes it felt like they were just there to add some extra weight to an already heavy topic. And what's up with Britney Spears and Alice Walker being in this book? It feels kinda exploitative to me 
. The only thing Feigel got right is that the system is still super flawed when it comes to custody battles, but I wish she'd been more clear about how we can actually make things change 
The stats are pretty wild - did you know in the US alone, there were over 1.3 million cases of custody disputes in 2022? 
. We can't afford to keep playing it slow if we want to make progress on this issue.