this should not be a controversial opinion but here i go… my mom sought sole custody when i was young and it stole years away from my dad that I can never get back. it was unnecessary and it was damaging a father’s presence in a child’s life is crucial even if the parents are not together my relationship with my dad now, talking every day and being in each other’s lives, is a major reason I am the woman I am today but I only got that once my mother no longer had control if a father is abusive, protect the child. that is obvious. but taking a good father away out of spite is one of the most harmful choices you can make people rarely admit it, but it affects kids more than almost anything else my mom believed she was doing the “right thing,” but she took years from him that I will never get back this should be part of child custody debates instead of being ignored because it is uncomfortable