When Toilets Were Taboo
STARTING OVER IS HARDER ALONE THE POWER OF HAVING A DIVORCE ATTORNEY BY YOUR SIDE Divorce is a turning point that can shape your future in ways you had never expected. Emotions can run high, decisions have a significant impact, and even the most amicable splits can get complicated. No matter how smart, skilled, and level-headed you are, working with an experienced attorney is one of the best things you can do for your divorce. Here’s why having a divorce attorney by your side matters.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE HAYS CODE
In old Hollywood, even the simplest things could cause trouble. A silly sound effect, a bathroom door, or a joke at the wrong person’s expense might get a film pulled before audiences ever saw it. From the 1930s through the 1960s, studios followed the Hays Code, a list of rules meant to keep movies “clean” after scandals in the 1920s made Hollywood look like a bad influence. What began as an attempt to save the industry from outside censorship quickly turned into decades of odd restrictions. One of the strangest bans was the raspberry, or “Bronx cheer.” The harmless noise, created by placing one’s tongue between the lips and blowing, was labeled vulgar and lumped in with forbidden words like “lousy” and “cripes.” Even the famous Clark Gable line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” from “Gone With the Wind” nearly didn’t make it past censors. Religion was another topic of strict censorship. Priests, ministers, and nuns could be stern or gentle but never the butt of a joke or the villain of a story. That’s why Bing Crosby’s Father O’Malley in “Going My Way” was always portrayed with a mix of effortless charm and reverence that kept him safe from censors. Childbirth was also considered improper. Labor scenes were banned outright, and even a shadow on the wall was too much. “Gone With the Wind” managed to slip in a softened moment with Olivia de Havilland’s character, but only after lengthy arguments with the Code’s enforcers. But bathrooms held the most absurd taboo of all. Toilets and the humor around them simply didn’t exist on screen. Then, Alfred Hitchcock released “Psycho” in 1960 and showed a toilet and a flush. Audiences had never seen anything like it, and the Code’s hold began to crumble. By the end of the 1960s, the system had collapsed, and the rating system we still use today replaced it. Looking back, it’s hard not to believe censors wasted their energy. What once seemed scandalous now feels tame, and the real surprise is just how many everyday things were once off-limits on screen.
PROTECTING YOUR FUTURE The divorce process can be complex to navigate alone, and an attorney can guide you through every step. One of the most important decisions during your divorce proceedings will be ensuring that finances, assets, and parental rights are fairly divided. Your attorney will know how to evaluate all your assets to secure a settlement that aligns with your goals and needs, increasing your chances of a positive outcome. If you have children, they are the most important factor of all. An attorney knows how to present your strengths as a parent, any evidence of mistreatment from your spouse, and what will ultimately be best for the child.
PREVENTING COSTLY MISTAKES If you sign an agreement without fully understanding it, it could cost you later. Once approved by the court, an agreement can be challenging to change or undo. A lawyer will ensure you don’t sign anything unless it is in your best interest. In the long run, it will usually be less expensive to work with an attorney and get it right the first time, rather than trying to fix an agreement later through the courts. SUPPORTING PEACE OF MIND Your attorney can help reduce a lot of the stress of divorce, from meeting deadlines to gathering the proper evidence. They will work to get you the best outcome and also safeguard you as much as possible from future disputes with a clear, detailed agreement built to stand the test of time. They are there to hear your story, guide you through emotionally charged decisions, and act as a resource to you.
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