Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli occupation targets bulldozer working to remove rubble of destroyed home in Shebaa.
IRGC sources tell Al Mayadeen that reports of Iranian missile strikes on northern Iraq are false, calling them rumors spread by enemy-linked media.
Trump: Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'
AFP: Ukraine behind attack on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands

Britney Spears' Conservatorship is a Feminist Issue

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Jul 2021 15:43
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

A court ruling on Wednesday moves Britney Spears a step further in her autonomy, as she is granted the freedom to choose her own attorney. Attorney Nancy Erika Smith asserts "It wouldn't have happened if it were a man," reflecting the sexism in US law.

  • x
  • Britney Spears Conservatorship
    Britney Spears Conservatorship

"It wouldn't have happened if it were a man," asserts human rights attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, as she discusses the blatant sexism that derives from US laws governing Birntey Spears' life decisions. 

Popstar Britney Spears publicly condemns her father for the second time this month in attempts to put an end to the 13-year-long conservatorship, which disrupted her life, career, and health. 

In a court hearing on Wednesday, Britney asserted that she wants to press charges against her father under the banner of 'conservatorship abuse,' stressing that she is "extremely scared" of him. Britney demanded an investigation into Jamie Spears' human rights abuses as well as the enforcement of a restraining order. 

The conservatorship essentially controls the financial and personal freedom of the conservatee; however, the court hearing on Wednesday challenged this.

Since 2008, Samuel Ingham had been Britney's conservatorship attorney. However, after Britney's criticism of his representation last week, Ingham stepped down and resigned. Judge Brenda Penny, who is following up with the conservatorship case, allowed Spears to choose her own attorney, which was a step forward in reestablishing Britney's autonomy and rights. 

“They were always trying to make me feel like I’m crazy, which I’m not," she told Judge Penny, which projected a case of emotional abuse and gaslighting.

Britney speaks of wanting to marry and have a child with her boyfriend but lacks the freedom to remove the contraceptive intrauterine device (IUD) as the conservatorship forces her to take birth control pills. In fact, her conservators would not take her to the doctor to remove the IUD in the first place. 

A human rights attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, remarks on the matter: "Since the 1980s, it is constitutionally illegal to force people to take medications, it's like this woman lives in a law-free existence where no constitutional rights are given to her." 

"It's cruel, it's sexist; men are not treated in this way. We've seen male celebrities attempt suicide or have serious addiction problems, alcohol problems that lead to domestic violence problems, allegations of child abuse and they are not treated like this, not in the media, and certainly not in the courts. It's shocking, it's sad, it's scary and we should all be concerned," stresses Smith, who specializes in women and minority rights. 

Britney's case is one of many realities for women experiencing systemic discrimination and sexism in the US and around the world.

  • Conservatorship
  • Sexism
  • The United States of America
  • Britney Spears
  • Feminism

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
U.S. F-35 fighter jets fly over José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Friday, September 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Politics

Venezuela condemns US 'colonial-style' threat to national airspace

Palestinians walk through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Gaza death toll exceeds 70,000 as Israeli crimes continue

Ireland removes name of former Israeli president from Dublin park
Europe

Ireland removes name of Ex. Israeli regime president from Dublin park

Gazan brothers Jomaa and Fadi Abu Assi, 8 and 9, in an undated photo (Social media)
Politics

Gaza: Two brothers, aged 8 and 9, killed by 'Israel' on their way home

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS