The Yendi & Chino Saga

By now the news would have reached everyone that former Miss Universe runner-up, Yendi Phillips has taken her ex, recording artiste, Stephen ‘Chino’ McGregor to court seeking maintenance for her child, Israel.

According to a comment posted by Phillips on her Twitter page ‘it is quite unfortunate that the information was leaked’. While this may be so since its a legal issue which involves a minor, Yendi needs to understand that both Chino and herself are public figures; hence, a juicy story as this would inevitably make news headlines and be the talk on everyone’s lips.

On the other hand, I don’t support arguments being made by members of the public as to how the situation should be handled. I assume that both Yendi and Chino are mature, responsible adults who are capable of handling this matter and resolving their differences. Our opinions aren’t necessary as it won’t determine the outcome of the situation.

However, Yendi’s situation should serve as a prime example to other females on how not to go about having a child:

Under legal terms, if Yendi and Chino were married, she would now be entitled to one-half of the family home and could offer her child the security of a roof over her head. As Chino’s divorcing wife, she could have also been entitled to some portion of his assets. But, as a ‘babymother’ she’s only entitled to child maintenance and absolutely nothing for herself. Luckily, she’s an independent woman who probably doesn’t need anything for herself, though given her lavish lifestyle, she would do well with some of that money.

Ending cohabitation or a non-cohabiting committed relationship which has produced a child is not a formal procedure and, in fact, the man can sever ties with the woman without an explanation.

Marriage offers the greatest legal protection to women who consider having a child with a man. The legal relationship cannot be severed on either party’s whim, and provision for the child is an automatic step in the divorce procedure.

Babymothers, on the other hand, can be humiliated into leaving the relationship or cut loose without any child support until they themselves resort to the courts, at their own expense, to get support for their child.

Yendi chose to have a child with Chino, she chose to plaster social media with updates (during her pregnancy up to the time of birth and continues to do so) and now, she has chosen to fight for child maintenance. Therefore, she must deal with the consequences of her actions. I wish her all the best!

I am Laydee Sharmz saying : ‘Life is all about making choices and the choices we make today will of course impact our future. We all have one life to live so we do what we want with it’