A social media debate over child custody after separation has drawn widespread reactions, with community advocates and family stakeholders urging parents to prioritise the welfare of children over gender-based arguments.
The discussion began after media personality Emerald (@Mz_Tosyn) posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Women should normalize leaving children for their fathers too! Those kids always end up forgiving fathers and if it’s the other way around they hardly look for the mother or forgive her.”
The post, which gained wider attention after being shared by KosofePost, generated mixed reactions, with many users questioning whether child custody should be framed as a matter of gender equality rather than the best interests of the child.
Among those who reacted was Mr. Olalere Azeez Ololade, who argued that children should not become the focus of online ideological debates.
“Children are not chess pieces for online trends,” Ololade said.
He maintained that while both parents have responsibilities toward their children, separation should not be treated casually, except in situations involving abuse or violence.
According to him, parents should focus on creating stable environments for their children rather than encouraging narratives that could normalise either parent walking away from caregiving responsibilities.
The discussion also drew comments from Omoba Rasheed Awofeso, a family affairs advocate, who said the controversy highlighted the need for greater emphasis on co-parenting following separation.
“This is one of the reasons we often advise separated or estranged families to embrace co-parenting,” Awofeso said.
He added that maintaining a cooperative parenting relationship, where both parents remain actively involved in raising their children, is generally more beneficial than allowing disputes between adults to affect children’s wellbeing.
The online exchange has since evolved into a broader conversation on parental responsibility, with many contributors stressing that decisions relating to custody and caregiving should be guided by the best interests of the child rather than by attempts to score points in gender debates.
Family advocates continue to emphasise that, where it is safe and appropriate, cooperative parenting arrangements can help provide children with the stability, emotional support and continuity they need despite the breakdown of a relationship.