The factors that go into determining child custody in a divorce are many, and are not cut and dry.  Laws in Tennessee and Mississippi provide several considerations for judges to reflect on before appointing one parent or the other as the primary residential parent. One factor is made explicitly irrelevant though: both states refuse to allow the gender of the parent to affect whether or not they are named the primary residential parent:

Tennessee Law States:

“It is the legislative intent that the gender of the party seeking to be the primary residential parent shall not give rise to a presumption of parental fitness or cause a presumption in favor of or against such party.”  -  Tennessee Code § 36-6-412

Mississippi Law Says:

“There shall be no presumption that it is in the best interest of a child that a mother be awarded either legal or physical custody.”  -  Mississippi Code § 93-5-24 

We have found this especially difficult to get parents to believe, on both sides – as a mother, you are not guaranteed custody simply for being female, and as a father, you are not automatically denied custody simply for being a male.

Do not make assumptions without knowing the laws regarding your case. Contact a good Memphis divorce lawyer or Memphis child custody lawyer today to learn more about the factors that are relevant when determining child custody!