Free Britney: How Can Examination of Britney Spears' Conservatorship Help Advocates Recognize and Address Abuse(s) Within a Guardianship or Conservatorship?

While guardianships and conservatorships are supposed to be about protection, the one-size-fits-all approach applied to individuals who suffer from mental illness or mental health disability can create an opportunity for control and abuse. Take, for example, Britney Spears, who while under a conservatorship was made to use birth control and perform concerts against medical advice without being given any pathway to permit her to regain her independence. As advocates, we must do better and learn how to recognize abuse within a guardianship or conservatorship, so that it really is about protection, not control. 

For a more in-depth discussion about Britney Spears' conservatorship and the lessons that advocates can learn from it, check out our CLE Free Britney: Understanding Incapacity, Abuse & Guardianships coming up on October 26, 2021.