050: A Domestic Partnership From Hell -W/ Shella Ngum (Part 1)

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to</span> <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_partnership"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Wikipedia</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">, a Domestic Partnership is</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">a legal relationship between two individuals who</span> <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cohabitation"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">live together</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">and share a common domestic life but are not</span> <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">married</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">(to each other or to anyone else). There is still some confusion with this definition because it is recognized as a “legal” union only in a few countries, especially in Africa. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have heard of so many horror stories in our community, of couples living and procreating together for decades, but never make it a priority to legalize their union. Then when one person dies or if they separate one person - usually the woman - is not recognized as the spouse and is treated very badly by the breadwinner’s family. Usually, the law cannot intervene in most cases because the union wasn’t considered legal and spousal recognition cannot be claimed. Though strides have been made in some countries like South Africa, much more work needs to be done.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Domestic partnerships are not as common in this generation (Millennials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha) as it is in the prior generations, especially for those residing in the diaspora. Shella’s story, though, is one for the books as she found herself in an 11-year old domestic partnership from hell. Her story isn’t only chilling but can be used as a lesson for so many people looking to get into relationships. In this last episode of Season 1, it is our greatest hope that you can learn at least one lesson or more from Shella’s experience. </