THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS really surprised and alarmed to read that there is a proposed amendment to the Maintenance Act to allow men the right to claim maintenance from their wives or common-law spouses. Dr. Glenda Simms is quoted as saying "you can't have one-sided equality" but that is precisely what black women across the diaspora have and which will be further perpetuated in Jamaica by this act.
In Western countries, where such an act is in force, the norm has been for the (white) male to work and support his wife/partner whilst she foregoes her career to stay at home and care for the children and home. The implementation of such an equality act in those countries recognises the wife's contribution and sacrifices in kind, the child-rearing, etc., when a relationship breaks down and gives the wife an entitlement to a share of the husband's wealth.
What is currently happening in such countries (I know of several instances in England and the U.S.) is that black women, who are generally more ambitious and hard-working than their men, are doing quite well for themselves. You then have men who sweet talk them into moving into their (the woman's) home and then using the law to claim a proportion of the woman's assets. Many of these men have not contributed financially nor done any child-rearing, etc. In fact, in general, the woman has to hold down a job and do all the homemaking. Where is the fairness in that?
Dr. Simms is also quoted as saying, "we don't want a lopsided justice", but that is precisely what this act would further create. Black women, on the whole, have never had the luxury of being able to stay at home and be supported by their men and since when have men taken equal share of housework and childcare?
People in Jamaica should not seek to copy all the laws and so-called 'improvements and developments' from Western countries, as some of them are flawed. Jamaican women have always had a burden to bear and I see the passing of this amendment as a further millstone for them.
I would like my remarks conveyed to Dr. Simms and to Attorney-General Nicholson for their comments.
I am, etc.,
BEULAH COOMBS
bcoombs@lambethcollege.ac.uk
Thornton Heath, Surrey
England
Via Go-Jamaica
