JD Vance

JD Vance, the author of “Hillbilly Elegy” and a former US Senate candidate, has faced criticism for his comments on marriage and divorce. In a 2019 interview with The Revolver, Vance said:

“I think we’ve made it too easy to get a divorce. I think we’ve made it too easy to just walk away from commitments. And I think that’s had a really negative impact on our society.”

He also stated that people should prioritize keeping families together, even if it means staying in a difficult marriage:

“I think we need to be honest with ourselves that sometimes, the best thing for the kid is for the parents to stay together, even if they’re not happy.”

Vance’s comments were criticized for implying that people, especially women, should stay in abusive or unhappy marriages for the sake of their children. Vance later clarified his remarks, saying he wasn’t advocating for people to stay in abusive relationships but rather emphasizing the importance of considering the impact of divorce on children.

However, his initial comments sparked concerns that he was perpetuating harmful attitudes towards marriage, divorce, and domestic violence.

“If you’re trapped in an abusive relationship, prioritize your safety and well-being by leaving as soon as possible. Unfortunately, abuse often escalates over time and rarely improves – so don’t wait for things to get better, take action to protect yourself now.”

“Escape abusive relationships immediately. Abuse almost never gets better, only worse – so leave now and seek help.”