I've just stumbled across this thread and wish to add only 2 thoughts. There is no intention here to offend, trivialise or generally devalue anyone's stance.

First thought:
I'm not so much a newbie thses days and have had numerous chats and discussions with people on this site, including Amanda (DL). I can only say that I have found Amanda to be clear and fair in her views, which she openly brings to discussion. She backs up what she thinks with fact and/or example. As a fellow professional (not legal!) Amanda's professionalism is without flaw.

[Apologies Amanda, that must read rather like a school report... ]

Second thought:
Class. 'Working class'. 'Ruling class'. A class system is an ideological construct. As such, it can only exist if a sufficient number in society subscribe to it. It can only be a dominant ideology if a greater number, within the number, subscribe to it... Now there's a thing. We talk about choices and freedoms and democracy. It has been said on this thread that democracy is government by the people. That's us folks. With our ideologies and our sub­script­ions thereto.

Ok, I'm going to say it.... I'm going to be shot at for saying it, I fear, so let me first say this: I am exercising my right to speak freely on that which I believe philosophically. I don't subscribe to the ideological construct of class. I am aware of it's existence in our society but do not subscribe to it. That means then, that I neither 'support' the 'working class' nor the 'ruling class'. How liberating. It wasn't a sudden decision, it was a decision taken as a young woman. It works for me.

Oh yes, and my background is also very 'working class'

Shez.

Maybe Im wrong but I think the problem is ignorance. When I first approached a lawyer I was upset, confused and hurt. I really didn't know what I wanted and despite this the ''talk'' was really about ''what do you want to do''
I had no idea what I wanted to do being forced into a situation not of my making. All I wanted was the situation to go away. That of course was not an option. By the second and third session I didn't like what I heard. Again not an option. So I then had to draft my options for them to be drawn up and ''legalised'' Where it goes from here is anyones guess. I will give credit to my lawyer who said ''I dont often give personal advice but from what I have read just get on with your life'' meaning shes just not worth it.