KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- "There is some kind of superficial appearance of fairness in saying we'll split the time with the children 50-50."

Wanda Sobieski is a divorce and family attorney, and does not favor the proposed child custody bill.

"The problem is the focus is not on what's really best for the child in that situation."

Those opposed argue there are many factors regarding the irresponsible nature of some mothers of fathers that need to be looked at, such as unreported abuse, and the courts may simply get it wrong and give too much time to an unstable parent. Something family counselor Joaniko Kohchi doesn't want to see happen.

"To ignore the many ways children communicate at times and make a blanket decision without listening to them is to cause serious harm to a child."

"And then there's a single father who only wants to be known as Joe because of pending litigation. You might think he'd be in favor of the proposed bill, but Joe says if this were passed back when he and his wife split up, it would have been very bad for his kids."

"You've got two parents out there. One parent which has nothing to do with alcohol and drugs and another one that does, and to split that time up 50-50 in simply wrong

Joe currently has his twin girls 85 percent of the time, and is fighting to make their visits with his ex-wife be supervised. On the other side of the argument, there's single dad Matt, who also doesn't want his identity reveled. Matt agrees with the bill.

"I just think it's more of a fair situation where it doesn't automatically go to the mom, The mom, traditionally in this part of the country, the whole law favors the mother's situation."

But those who work with children say their emotional needs have to be put ahead of parental control and court decisions.

"I hope that there are many adults who would be listening to a child before a situation would find its way to court," said Kohchi.