Breathe
By Desiré Navarro
Stop covering up the mistreatment of children!
The historical patriarchy that is still present in our society considers women as inferior, destined to be at the service of and in submission to men. This context perpetuates practices of inequality, such as economic violence that especially affects mothers and their children.
May 29, 2023 marked a milestone in Mexico's historical memory with the approval of Law 3 of 3 against Violence against Women, now enshrined in Article 28 of the Constitution. This monumental achievement of the feminist movement establishes that persons sentenced for domestic violence, sexual crimes or failure to pay alimony will not be able to hold positions of popular representation or serve in public office. In other words, the 3 out of 3 Law guarantees that no aggressor will come to power.
In Mexico, there are approximately 4.18 million single mothers. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), at least 67.5% of these mothers do not receive child support. This means that three out of every four children of separated parents do not receive the economic support they are entitled to by law.
The right to food is not only fundamental, it should be an overriding ethical principle. What dignity can a man registered in the public register of maintenance debtors have? None. There is no honor in disregarding one's responsibility towards one's own children.
The impact of non-compliance with alimony payments
A maintenance debtor generates prolonged trauma, both in his minor children and in their mothers. It destabilizes their emotional state and causes damage that, in many cases, seems premeditated. This abandonment places children in a situation of vulnerability that leaves deep scars, such as:
- Low self-esteem and insecurity.
- Feelings of shame, guilt and abandonment.
- Chronic stress and a tense family environment for long periods.
- Learning disabilities, erratic behaviors and emotional difficulties.
In the long term, these consequences can lead to serious conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia. In addition, parental non-compliance places a disproportionate burden on mothers, who often have to work two or three jobs to provide for their children. In many cases, the responsibility also falls on grandparents, siblings and even neighbors.
A call for justice from a feminist point of view
The right to food is inalienable. Society must stop normalizing and justifying the non-compliance of maintenance debtors. Celebrating laws such as the 3 of 3 is a crucial step, but its effective implementation will be key to combat this form of economic violence that harms millions of Mexican families.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
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