Bias Against Men/Fathers with Restraining Orders in New Mexico?

Are you wondering, “Is there a bias against men/fathers with restraining orders in Albuquerque, New Mexico?”

Many men going through a divorce, custody, or restraining order case feel like the system is biased or favors women or mothers.

But is this the case?

In other words, are family courts biased towards women and mothers with restraining orders? In turn, does this bias create a momentum that gives women and mothers the edge?

Let’s explore the potential bias against men/fathers with restraining orders in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

BIAS WITH RESTRAINING ORDERS IN NEW MEXICO

Are you a man or father that is facing a restraining order in New Mexico? If so, you may be nervous that the system is rigged to favor women.

With that said, the restraining order system is not inherently rigged in favor of women and mothers. Nevertheless, there may be a bias – or stereotype – that men are inherently more violent than women.

This bias may begin as a seed that the media and pop culture spread. Over time, this seed blossoms into a potential stereotype that men are more angry, aggressive, or violent than women.

In turn, this stereotype may create a bias towards women and mothers with restraining orders. Whether consciously or subconsciously, this stereotype may create a perception that gives women the edge with protective order cases.

MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF VIOLENT MEN

Sadly, it’s hard to go a day without being bombarded with news stories about a recent mass shooting, explosion, terrorist act, school shooting, or serial killer.

Literally, moments before I began typing these words, CBS This Morning’s lead story was a “terrifying story about a woman kidnapped by her estranged husband.”

News stories of this nature are the norm rather than the exception.

Increasingly, news is filled with doom and gloom about road rage, violence, and shootings. This violence is usually associated with men.

Moreover, men are often the nucleus of these destructive acts. The media rarely portrays women as being more violent than men.

Even within violent sports, women are the exception rather than the norm.

Then there are terrifying historical figures such as Hitler, Stolin, Himmer, Suddain, etc. Moreover, famous serial killers, such as Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer, or Ted Bundy, etc., are almost exclusively male.

Finally, violent cult leaders are predominately — or exclusively — male. For example, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, David Koresh, and others are male.

Try to name a violent, female cult leader. Seriously, think about it.

In other words, history, sports, and media tend to portray men as being more violent than women.

VIOLENT AND PSYCHOTIC MEN WITHIN POP CULTURE

In addition to the daily news, pop culture spreads the stereotype that men are the primary source of violence and terror.

For example, almost every serial killer depicted in movies is male. Even fictional villains are overwhelmingly male.

Think about a villain or monster that you feared as a child. Was the monster a man or a woman?

You likely were terrified of Dracula or Frankenstein. In other words, you likely feared Jason or Freddie — not Jessica or Felicia.

Even the Bogeyman was a man.

Finally, who can forget The Shining’s climatic scene where the deranged father axes down the door while rabidly shouting, “HERE’S JOHNNY!”

These images stick in our subconscious and subtly impact our future beliefs.

At times, these early childhood images create fears and biases that linger into adulthood.

PHYSICAL SIZE DIFFERENCES

On top of media stereotypes, differences in physical size may also attribute to a potential bias that favors women with restraining orders.

For instance, the average male is five feet and nine inches – weighing 198 pounds. Conversely, women are typically five feet and four inches – weighing 170 pounds.

In other words, men are usually bigger than women.

What’s more, men generally have greater physical strength than women.

Consequently, there may be a perception that men have a greater likelihood for harm, given their increased size and strength relative to females.

WHAT CAN MEN/FATHERS DO ABOUT BIAS?

This begs the question, “What can men or fathers do about a bias towards women or mothers?”

The first step is to be aware of the potential bias.

Next, be aware that most hearing officers in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho are women. For example, there is only one male hearing officer in both Rio Rancho and Albuquerque combined.

Also, there are five total family court judges in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Nevertheless, only one of the five is a male.

What’s more, your hearing officer possibly was a victim’s advocate before becoming a hearing officer.

So, be aware that socially constructed stereotypes can impact your hearing officer’s decision.

Finally, a restraining order can be entered when it is “more likely than not” that an act of abuse occurred that poses an immediate threat of danger.

Guess who decides what is more likely than not. Yep. Your hearing officer.

Therefore, be aware of the potential bias.

Consider preparing your case as though you have the burden of proving your case by clear and convincing evidence. In other words, weigh the potential bias into your preparation.

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

Let’s try a though experiment.

Imagine that it’s late at night and you’re standing at an ATM in a dark and secluded area.

As you reach out to grab your cash, someone begins creeping up behind you.

It’s dark.

It’s quiet.

No one is around – just you and the person getting closer.

And closer.

All you see is an outline coming closer.

Slowly the blur comes into focus and reveals either — a woman or a man.

Choose your own adventure. Which adventure would you choose?

Which scenario feels more threatening?

How does having a man creep up behind you at the ATM make you feel relative to a woman?

Any difference?

Would you feel safer if you turned around and the person behind you was a woman?

That gut feeling may be how female hearing officers feel with restraining order cases involving men and women.

In other words, possibly your hearing officer has a socially conditioned bias towards a female or mother with your restraining order case.

Just a thought experiment.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR RESTRAINING ORDER CASE

First, take your restraining order seriously. In doing so, realize that a restraining order being entered has both immediate and long-term consequences. The long-term impact can greatly affect your future custody and timesharing.

Next, speak with an experienced restraining order attorney in Albuquerque, NM. An experienced attorney understands both the law, and the practical reality of the circumstances and facts. This seasoned understanding enables the attorney to explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

An experienced attorney can also help you understand the interplay between restraining orders and custody or divorce cases.

Blindly running into domestic violence court can be a recipe for disaster. So, be prepared.

Prepare your exhibits.

Get prepared with your timeline and story.

Address weakness with your story, timeline, or evidence.

Be aware that credibility counts. In other words, your hearing officer is listening and watching. Unconsciously or otherwise, your hearing officer is determining whose story is more believable.

At the end of the hearing, your hearing officer decides if a restraining order is needed.

Check out this video for more information on how to win your restraining order case in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

AFFORDABLE RESTRAINING ORDER AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTORNEY

Sanchez is an experienced and affordable restraining order attorney near you. For over a decade, Sanchez has routinely handled the most complex and contentious divorce and custody cases involving restraining orders.

Don’t walk into court unprepared. Prepare for success by calling (505) SANCHEZ.

Sanchez can help you understand how to present your best case. Whether your case is in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas/Belen, Sanchez has the experience to handle your divorce and family violence case.

Whether you are a mother or father, victim or alleged abuser, Sanchez has the experience that you need.