Senator Grothman

That’s right. You read the title correctly. Senate Bill 507, introduced by Senator Grothman (R-West Bend) on February 23, 2012, would require the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board to emphasize that non-marital parenthood is a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect. Single parents make up a third of all Wisconsin parents. Once again, I am livid! What the hell is going on in our country? We seem to be going backwards in time as people’s rights start disappearing.

The amendment put forth states:

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. 48.982 (2) (g) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.982 (2) (g) 2. Promote statewide educational and public awareness campaigns and materials for the purpose of developing public awareness of the problems of child abuse and neglect. In promoting those campaigns and materials, the board shall emphasize nonmarital parenthood as a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect.

A single parent contributes to child abuse and neglect? That is absolutely insane! Is a child better off living in a two-parent household where there is constant fighting and possibly abuse occurring rather than a single-parent household with no partner to fight with?

Fighting between spouses is becoming more and more common these days – or at least out in the open rather than hidden in the bedroom as when my generation was young. Yelling at each other, calling each other names. Simply put — spousal abuse. I have to wonder how many children have witnessed their father striking their mother (and vice versa) – or just completely beating their spouse to a pulp. During my first marriage, my step-son witnessed his father beating me on a frequent basis in addition to yelling at me every night, calling me every name under the sun. Needless to see, my step-son had many issues in school and was constantly in trouble.

Naturally, many single parents may be in a relationship and have their partner either living in the same home, or frequently present, and occasionally there may be some form of abuse between a non-married couple. However, if abuse does develop between a non-married couple that was not present at the start of the relationship, it is much easier for the parent of the child to rid the household of the abusive partner when they are not married. A large number of single parents are not in a relationship, however, and must tend to their household single-handedly, Often times a single parent is more dedicated to their child or children than married couples simply because a natural human survival instinct sets in. I have met many a single parent who is completely devoted to their child or children, making sure they have breakfast, lunch and dinner, go to school, do their homework, their chores, etc. It is not uncommon to see the child chip in more to tend to the household duties than children of married parents simply because they recognize the hardship their single parent is going through to keep a roof over their head and food on the table.

What is the goal or intent of this bill? To be able to take every single parent to court, to try and convict them of child abuse thus being able to legally remove the child or children from their home and place them in foster care? And what about a widow or widower? Will this law force a single parent into a marriage they may not otherwise have chosen just to avoid a child abuse conviction? These questions may sound rather extreme or unrealistic, but the consequences for breaking a law is some sort or punishment – some mild, some more harsh. Therefore, if this bill passes, then a single parent is a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect is a felony in most states. Therefore, in following the logic in a reverse order here, then being a single parent may just well be breaking the law according to the wording of this bill.

There are no absolutes when it comes to households and parenting and no category should be isolated and victimized. Does this mean that single parents in Wisconsin will have to marry in order to keep custody of their child? A bill which indirectly enforces a citizen into marriage is against the principles of our constitution. Will this be a shotgun wedding with the child welfare department present holding their hunting rifles and spittin’ tobacco? Ready to take the child of the two adults do not say “I do”? Or in cases like this, a more appropriate vow would be “I must by the State of Wisconsin in order to keep my child.”

Once again, this insane bill was introduces by a Republican. This party is really going off the deep end in attempting to force their personal opinions and values on the citizens of this country.

This insanity must be stopped.

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Published by Michelle

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