Alimony has an interesting history, one that was basically a half derogatory assistance for women who were seen as the “weaker sex.” Its origins can be traced back to the ecclesiastical courts in England. Since the husband was the sole owner of all marital property, and the wife depended upon him to provide for her sustenance, the English ecclesiastical courts consistently ruled that the husband had the duty to provide for the wife after divorce as well. Otherwise she would become, “a burden of the people.” Heaven forbid there should be any burdensome women around!
While a woman is no longer considered to be a lesser partner in a marriage, and marital property after divorce is divided equally, there is still a feeling that a man owes an obligation to his former wife in a financial sense. This is being debated in family courts. There are people who try to cheat the system and that makes it bad for everyone involved.
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