Podcast Summary: "Acontece que no es poco | El dictador Franco anula la ley de divorcio"

Podcast: Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: October 23, 2023

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina delves into the history of divorce legislation in Spain, centering on how dictator Francisco Franco annulled the progressive divorce law of the Second Republic in 1939, and the long path to its restoration in 1981. With her signature sharp wit and critical perspective, Nieves examines the social, political, and moral implications of denying and later restoring the right to divorce, highlighting the enduring impact of religious conservatism and the resilience of those who fought for civil rights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Divorce in Contemporary Spain Versus the Past

• Current Reality: 80,000 official divorces per year in Spain; public discussion of divorce is now normalized.
• Historical Reminder: Rights like divorce had to be fought for; “los derechos no caen del cielo, hay que recordarlo.” (Carla, 01:25)
• This reflection serves to contrast Spain’s present with its authoritarian past.

2. Franco’s Repeal of Divorce (1939)

• Franco annuls the divorce law: “Franco, el dictador, hizo lo que hace habitualmente la ultraderecha en cuanto asalta el poder, eliminar derechos e imponer obligaciones morales.” (Nieves, 01:57)
• On September 23, 1939, Franco abolished the divorce law instituted under the Republic, emphasizing a return to Catholic tradition, even amidst the ruins and deprivations of post-war Spain.
• Emphasis on Franco’s hypocrisy: Nieves notes the irony of Franco’s descendants frequently divorcing, which the former dictator would have abhorred. (01:52)

3. The Impact of Annulling Divorce – Social and Legal Repercussions

• Invalidation of Previous Divorces:
  • The 1932 divorce law lasted only 7.5 years; Franco not only abolished it but invalidated all divorces granted under it and all civil marriages. (Nieves, 05:14)
  • Effects:
    • “Todos los divorcios aprobados…fueron invalidados.”
    • Couples reverted to unmarried status, and their children were deemed illegitimate.
• Anecdote – Miguel Hernández:
  • Poet Miguel Hernández, though civilly married for five years, had to marry in a Catholic ceremony on his deathbed to secure legitimacy for his son and inheritance rights. (Nieves, 07:03)

4. The Advanced Nature of the Republican Divorce Law

• Progressiveness:
  • Law allowed equitable arrangements for children and mutual obligations for alimony.
  • Right-wing backlash painted the law as an attack on family and moral order: “Decían que el divorcio sería un barreno que haría saltar la familia por los aires.” (Nieves, 08:06)
• Media Stereotyping:
  • Conservative press demonized women as manipulative opportunists exploiting the new law.

5. Divorce Rates and Right-Wing Fears

• Divorce rates were low:
  • “Si los índices eran bajísimos…algunos años, bueno, pues poco más de un 10% más o menos y otros es que ni llegaba.” (Nieves, 08:54)
• Despite this, Francoism justified its moral crusade as a return to tradition, as evidenced by the language in the 1939 law:
  • “El nuevo Estado español anunció…la derogación de la legislación laica, devolviendo así a nuestras leyes el sentido tradicional, que es el católico.” (Nieves, 09:15)

6. Personal & Psychological Analysis of Franco

• Franco’s rigid morality traced to his upbringing:
  • His mother instilled extreme values of duty, sacrifice, and suffering, while his father separated from her, an experience Nieves speculates left Franco resentful, leading to his prohibitionist stance. (Nieves, 09:46)

7. The Resurrection of Adultery as a Crime

• Franco restored the crime of adultery:
  • Under Republican law, adultery was a cause for divorce, not a criminal offense.
  • Under Franco, the crime applied only to women; husbands could kill adulterous wives with near impunity and face minimal penalty.
  • Citing Article 428: “El marido que sorprendiendo en adulterio a su mujer, matare en el acto a los adúlteros…será castigado con la pena de destierro. Si les produjere lesiones de otra clase, quedará exento de pena.” (Nieves, 11:41)
• Gender Bias:
  • “El delito de adulterio sólo era para la mujer. El hombre sólo cometía delito de amancebamiento.” (Nieves, 12:13)

8. The End of Criminalizing Adultery: Activism and Repeal

• Decriminalization in 1978:
  • Achieved thanks to public protest, especially by women in Madrid and Barcelona declaring themselves “adúlteras” in open defiance (Nieves, 12:46).
  • The trigger: María Ángeles Muñoz, abandoned by her husband, was prosecuted and nearly lost her daughter due to the law.
  • Collective action and grassroots mobilization forced the government to abolish the crime.
• Ongoing Struggle: Nieves draws a parallel to contemporary politics, warning that hard-earned rights can be quickly undone: “Cuesta muchísimo ganar derechos, pero el PP y Vox los están eliminando. En medio minuto.” (Nieves, 14:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On right-wing moralism:
  • “Franco, el dictador, hizo lo que hace habitualmente la ultraderecha…eliminar derechos e imponer obligaciones morales, siempre de acuerdo a su propia moral.” (01:57)
• Historical irony:
  • “Le daría algo si viera la cantidad de veces que se le han divorciado los nietos y los bisnietos que llevan el apellido de este tirano.” (01:49)
• On Franco’s family background:
  • “Su madre quería sacrificio por todo... De ahí le venía a Franco esa rabia y ese odio a quien no fuera católico y a las libertades.” (09:46)
• On gender bias in the law:
  • “El delito de adulterio sólo era para la mujer. El hombre sólo cometía delito de amancebamiento.” (12:13)
• On winning rights through activism:
  • “Un día la liaban en los juzgados, otros se encerraban en una iglesia... y marcharon de forma ilegal por Barcelona declarándose todas adúlteras a ver si había cujones para detenerlas.” (12:46)
• On fragility of rights:
  • “Cuesta muchísimo ganar derechos, pero el PP y Vox los están eliminando. En medio minuto.” (14:20)

Key Timestamps

• 01:03 – Carla: Contemporary divorce stats in Spain; the naturalization of divorce discussions now vs. the past.
• 01:52 – Nieves: Franco abolishes the divorce law; critique of right-wing moral imposition.
• 05:14 – Nieves: Impact and technicalities of the repeal; invalidation of divorces and civil marriages.
• 07:03 – Nieves: The Miguel Hernández anecdote highlighting the moral coercion and legal repercussions.
• 08:54 – Discussion on low divorce rates during the Republic, exposing the unfounded nature of right-wing fears.
• 09:46 – Nieves’ psychological profile of Franco and speculative link to his mother’s influence.
• 10:49 – Nieves: Law’s sexism; restoration of the crime of adultery and its legal wording.
• 12:46 – Nieves: Decriminalization of adultery; women’s protests and the landmark collective action of 1976-1978.
• 14:20 – Closing warning on the danger of losing civil rights.

Tone and Style

Nieves Concostrina maintains a sharp, irreverent, and critical tone throughout, using humor and irony to expose the hypocrisy and cruelty of reactionary policies. She is direct, witty, and unafraid to point out uncomfortable truths about Spain’s conservative legacy, engaging listeners with anecdotes and historical snapshots to connect the past to the present.