I read an interesting opinion piece by Suzanne Moore in The Guardian online the other day about Tulisa saying something along the lines of if she was a bit more middle class she wouldn't have got as much grief as she has. She argued that because she is seen as a bit "common" or "chavvy" it is open season for insults.
Maybe this woman is merely feckless and has left her kids because she wants to shack up with her new man and be free of them. However this bit of the story stands out:
‘I was suffering from post-natal depression and had to get away. I know the little ones sometimes want their mum, but they seem to be getting on well. I want to see them more, but I don’t want to cause any more family arguments.
‘I wanted to lock myself away, but when I tried to tell Peter I wasn’t coping, he didn’t understand. I felt he was controlling. The relationship gradually broke down, and we started arguing about everything.'
If this was a story of a middle class Mum leaving the family home because of PND and constant arguing I wonder if the judgement would be as severe? Of course it seems that society will judge any woman who leaves her kids harshly no matter the reason but it seems this woman perfectly fits the stereotype to be looked down upon.