On the Today show this morning, there was a story about a man who posted a blog called ThePsychoExWife.com. He and his wife had an especially hostile divorce process, and there were two children ages 10 and 12. It was interesting because the Judge ordered him to remove the blog and he is now appealing. He raised the First Amendment, and believes he has the right to say whatever he wants on his blog about his ex wife. I am curious about what my clients would think of this. I believe in the First Amendment (I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it). However, I also feel strongly that parents should not say demeaning or negative things about the other parent in the presence of the children. The children could have read this blog, so even if the father didn't say it in their presence they had access to his statements. It is very damaging to a child's self esteem to hear one parent talk badly about the other. I think that the father has the right to express his feelings (as long as not actionable for libel, slander or defamation); but, I think when children are involved their feelings are paramount in this equation.
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AuthorTamra A. Spradlin, Attorney Archives
August 2011
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