Trying to avoid a promiscuous granddaughter

Politico reports:

Iowa Republicans are pushing to eliminate no-fault divorce for parents in the state, with one lawmaker citing his fear that his granddaughter could become “promiscuous” after her parents split up.

“This basically is an attempt on my part to keep fathers in the home,” GOP state Rep. Tedd Gassman said at a hearing on the legislation, according to Radio Iowa. “I sincerely believe that the family is the foundation of this nation and this nation will go the direction of our families. If our families break up, so will this nation.” ...

Gassman cited his daughter’s recent divorce as a reason he was pushing the bill.

“There’s a 16-year-old girl in this whole mix now,” Gassman said. “Guess what? What are the possibilities of her being more promiscuous? What are the possibilities of all these other things surrounding her life that a 16-year-old girl, with hormones raging, can get herself into?”

Under the law, one of the partners in a marriage would have show that their spouse was guilty of adultery, had been convicted of a felony or had abandoned the family for a full year to qualify for a divorce. Parents could also get a divorce after living apart for two years.

This is not as extreme as it sounds. Here in liberal California, a couple has to wait 6 months for a divorce. If movie stars can wait 6 months, then Iowans can probably wait 2 years.

Domestic violence victims’ groups are battling the bill, arguing the law could make life more dangerous for victims.

No, it would not make life more dangerous. They can still get a separation, long before the divorce. A comment says:

Aren't there First Amendment issues at work here? Some religions, such as Judaism, permit no-fault divorce. If such couples are not allowed to divorce because of this bill, doesn't this infringe on their religious liberties? I understand infringing on religious liberties is a big issue with the GOP and conservatives.

I did not know this about Judaism, but it is correct, according to a Jewish site:

Judaism recognized the concept of "no-fault" divorce thousands of years ago. Judaism has always accepted divorce as a fact of life, albeit an unfortunate one. Judaism generally maintains that it is better for a couple to divorce than to remain together in a state of constant bitterness and strife.

Under Jewish law, a man can divorce a woman for any reason or no reason. The Talmud specifically says that a man can divorce a woman because she spoiled his dinner or simply because he finds another woman more attractive, and the woman's consent to the divorce is not required. In fact, Jewish law requires divorce in some circumstances: when the wife commits a sexual transgression, a man must divorce her, even if he is inclined to forgive her. ...

The position of husband and wife with regard to divorce is not an equal one. According to the Talmud, only the husband can initiate a divorce, and the wife cannot prevent him from divorcing her.

Nevertheless, there is no religious freedom issue here. Jews can follow religious law, if they wish.

Other comments disagree with this proposed law, but no one tries to answer Gassman's question. Yes, 16yo daughters of divorced parents are more likely to be promiscuous.

Update: A reader asks about California divorces taking 6 months. It is required by Calif Family Code 2339:

2339. (a) Subject to subdivision (b) and to Sections 2340 to 2344, inclusive, no judgment of dissolution is final for the purpose of terminating the marriage relationship of the parties until six months have expired from the date of service of a copy of summons and petition or the date of appearance of the respondent, whichever occurs first.

(b) The court may extend the six-month period described in subdivision (a) for good cause shown.