The push to recognise the unique needs and issues of women in Australian family law has long been controversial in nature. The legal system has historically failed to provide women with the same level of support that they deserve, and this is most apparent in family law.
However, the laws have been on steady progress toward greater rights for women. One major example is the no-fault divorce, which means it’s not necessary for either party to prove who is at fault for the marriage’s breakdown.
The law also gives significant power over child maintenance issues within families and empowers those who seek spousal support from former partners following separation/divorce proceedings.
Although there are quite a few improvements made to the family law system, there are still areas that need improvement. The existing issues like traditional family power continue to carry the social ideas of women and the family, and these need to be delved into.
Traditional Family Beliefs
The traditional nuclear family is at the heart of the legal system. It’s what gives jurisdiction over issues concerning children and property.
The understanding of family structure has changed drastically over time. It began as a concept in Canon Law and then became more diverse with the introduction and usage for tax purposes by Bestor State Jr., which was published in 1955 (Canon 27).
When two people come together in holy matrimony, they create a bond. This concept involves one spouse arising from an equal union between two declared degree blood relationships who share physical custody of their offspring.
Australian society is based on the idea of nuclear families. The ideal way to raise children and support a household. The traditional dividing line of gender roles between the mother and the father is what underpins this structure.
The mother is the primary caregiver of children and domestic worker, whilst the father’s role is concerned with the capacity to work as the family’s breadwinner. This structure is known as the ‘sexual division of labour’.
It generally means that men are taking on paid employment, whilst females stay at home doing unpaid work. This has serious implications for women’s earning capacity and is an extremely concerning factor in the context of divorce.
While it is true that the law today has given women formal impartiality with men, it’s still important to remember how social practices affect family lives.
The Divorce Structure
The introduction of no-fault divorce in Australia under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) has revolutionised how people are able to dissolve their marriages with no moralistic grounds whatsoever.
The only ground for divorce these days is when a marriage has been irretrievably broken down. This can be proven by the fact that the couple have lived apart for 12 months without any contact or interaction.
This empowering development has truly been a liberating change for married women who are unhappy, yet it has brought with it many challenges as well, including the economic realities of divorce. This is the reason why the implementation of structures, such as spousal support and child maintenance, has become an all-important pillar for Australian women.
The Child Maintenance Scheme
The single-mother families, according to research, are still one of the most financially disadvantaged groups in Australia. This means they have a high risk for poverty and its consequences.
Hence, the family law needs to guarantee that absent fathers continue to offer support and provide contributions, especially when enforcement proves challenging.
The introduction of the Child Support Scheme (CSS) by way of legislation has been a major step in providing child support for Australian families. The Child Support Assessment (CSA) and Family Law Act (FMA) were passed to give children support when needing financial assistance.
The Child Support Scheme (CSS) directly undercuts the clean break concept by making both parents financially responsible for their children following a divorce. It ensures the well-being of children in poverty by making sure they are properly provided for.
In addition, the Child Support Scheme also guarantees the parents will not rely on social welfare provisions and enforces the financial obligation of an absent parent.
The Family Court has the power to recognise and formalise agreements for child maintenance under Division 1A of the Child Support Assessment (CSA). These processes give women another opportunity at stability, especially to struggling mothers. They can also be supplemented by spousal maintenance.
The Spousal Maintenance System
The idea of spousal maintenance is one that has raised quite a few eyebrows. However, it’s important to remember that this reflects the significant value being placed on domestic work, in which many women don’t get paid for all they do at home.
It is the commitment to provide financial support for an ex-spouse or de-facto partner after the relationship has broken down.
The Family Law Act recognises the right of a divorced party to maintenance if they are unable to support themselves by reason of care for children under 18 or ‘by virtue’ of being too old, physically/mentally disabled and not able-bodied enough to gain employment.
Apart from spousal maintenance, the state wants to make sure that all assets are divided justly and should be according to financial or non-financial shares.
The concept of property rights in divorce is controversial as it diverts from traditional notions. However, there are some who believe this progressive law will result in betterment for all parties involved, most particularly women because they deserve equal treatment during a separation or dissolution process.
The factors that should be taken into account under section 75 of the Family Law Act are many and varied. They consider not only what is being done by either party, but also how long it has been established.
The major considerations also include the age and health of each party, the property, income or financial resources and the different responsibilities that each party has. The discussion of these factors is extremely relevant for women who have taken time out from work or perhaps have never gained employment.
Key Takeaway
The law can play a significant role in ensuring equality and support for Australian women. Their contemporary struggles provide an opportunity to demonstrate how the legal system has been used, especially in the aspect of equality and supporting women in the family context.
The law per se and the Australian society have made some advancements to give more equal rights to women and opportunities. However, there are still issues that women continue to face, tracing back the family notions and gender roles of which are hard to completely supersede.
Despite all of these, the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) is a very powerful instrument 토토사이트 that helps women with regard to child and spousal maintenance, divorce and even violence in the family. They must continue updating and improving upon the Act in order to protect the rights of women and ensure there are fair and just results when it comes to family law legal proceedings.
