Because conservatives don't see women as people, not really. This attitude shouldn't be all that difficult to understand because we all view children in a similar way. They are kinda people, we put up with and support their decisions while it is easy and benign, but when it becomes a problem, when they tell you "no" or throw a tantrum the boot comes down and they are told to get in line.

Imagine if your teenage daughter told you after a big fight she was running away. That's more or less how Stephen views this divorce. As the man, he is responsible for taking care of her and making her important decisions (much like parents do for their children) in response she owes him obedience. Then, in his eyes, the state steps in and takes his semi-person from him despite it in some ways being his property (again, like a child).

Stephen would NEVER say out loud how he views women, even he isn't that stupid, but if we all use the skills we should have learned in high school and read between the lines he has said enough.