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
CBS News: The suspect in the shooting of 2 National Guard troops in Washington has been identified as a 29-year-old Afghan national who is believed to have acted alone.
Al Mayaden's correspondent in South Lebanon: IOF launch flares over Markaba
Russia leaves intergovernmental agreement with countries of Euro-Arctic region on cooperation in emergency prevention and response: Moscow
PIJ: These reports aim to sow discord and incite against our Palestinian people and the camps
PIJ: We deny reports that the movement is strengthening its capabilities in Syria
Taiwan’s President: Taiwan will adopt a self-defense strategy to confront China’s threats.
Taiwan’s President: “One country, two regimes” is a red line for Taiwan.
Taiwan’s President: Beijing continues to increase military drills and gray zone harassment near Taiwan.
Palestinian sources: Apache helicopters open fire over Tubas in northern West Bank.
No specific date for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump says.

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

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
The West delivers 1,000th military supply aircraft to 'Israel' since the Gaza genocide.

West sends 1,000th arms aircraft to 'Israel' since Gaza genocide

  • Palestine
  • 20 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
Bolsonaro begins 27-year sentence for coup plotting and conspiracy
Politics

Bolsonaro begins 27-year sentence for coup plotting, conspiracy

Maduro leads a bicentennial ceremony honoring Bolivar’s Sword of Peru.
Politics

Maduro leads bicentennial ceremony honoring Bolivar’s Sword of Peru

The Knesset advances a bill allowing Israelis to own property in the occupied West Bank.
Politics

Knesset advances bill allowing Israelis to 'own property' in West Bank

From Alps to Andes: Fast climate shifts endanger water, biodiversity
Environment

From Alps to Andes: Fast climate shifts endanger water, biodiversity

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