Taylor Swift’s “Father Figure” and Custody Battles in Nebraska: Power, Control, and Children’s Voices
Custody disputes often revolve around questions of power and control. Taylor Swift’s new song “Father Figure” from The Life of a Showgirl explores these same dynamics—portraying a mentor who morphs into a manipulative, mob-boss figure. It’s a story about loyalty, control, and reclaiming agency. In Nebraska custody law, the courtroom is where similar struggles unfold, but the stakes are higher: the future of a child. Nebraska law is designed to cut through power games and focus on what matters most—the best interests of the child. This post uses the themes of Swift’s “Father Figure” to explain how Nebraska courts handle custody disputes, parental alienation, and children’s voices in the process, while also answering common questions parents face. By blending culture and law, we see how both art and justice confront control and reclaim balance.
Nebraska Custody Law and the Best Interests Standard
In “Father Figure,” Swift writes about promises of protection that quickly sour into control. Nebraska custody law guards against this exact shift. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-364, custody decisions must be based on the best interests of the child, not on one parent’s ability to dominate. The statute prohibits courts from favoring mothers over fathers—or either parent over the other—because of gender, disability, or other irrelevant factors.
Judges instead look at:
The child’s bond with each parent
The child’s educational, physical, and emotional needs
Each parent’s ability to foster a healthy relationship with the other parent
Just as Swift flips the narrative of control in her song, Nebraska law flips old assumptions about parenting by refusing to privilege one parent’s power over the child’s best interests.
Parental Alienation: Loyalty as a Weapon
Swift’s lyric about loyalty being “pure profit” mirrors how, in custody disputes, one parent may manipulate loyalty to undermine the other. Nebraska law recognizes this as parental alienation, even if it isn’t defined in statute. Courts rely on psychological evaluations, testimony, and patterns of behavior to uncover alienation.
If proven, courts can order remedies such as:
Modified custody or visitation
Supervised parenting time
Therapeutic interventions like reunification therapy
The purpose isn’t punishment—it’s protection. Much like Swift’s reclaiming of her agency in The Life of a Showgirl, Nebraska courts aim to restore balance for the child.
The Child’s Voice: Reclaiming Agency
In the chorus of “Father Figure,” Swift declares, “This empire belongs to me.” It’s a bold reclamation of power. Nebraska courts give children a measure of that same agency by considering their preferences if they are old enough and mature enough (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2923).
A child’s wishes aren’t controlling, but they can be persuasive, especially when paired with evidence about what’s truly in their best interests. This ensures the child’s perspective is part of the legal conversation, not overshadowed by parental battles.
Legal Tools for Challenging Control
Just as Swift uses her art to challenge unhealthy power dynamics, Nebraska law gives parents tools to do the same in custody disputes.
Parenting Plans: Required under the Parenting Act, these agreements set expectations for decision-making, parenting time, and communication.
Motions to Modify: Parents can request changes when a material change in circumstances occurs, such as alienation, relocation, or safety concerns.
Motions to Enforce: Courts can intervene if one parent refuses to comply with the plan, imposing remedies like fines or makeup time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nebraska courts favor mothers in custody cases?
No. Nebraska law bars courts from favoring a parent based on gender. Decisions hinge on the child’s best interests.
What counts as a material change in circumstances?
Relocation, repeated parenting plan violations, substance abuse, or evidence of alienation may qualify.
Can my child decide which parent to live with?
Not outright, but if the child is mature enough, the court may weigh their preference as part of its analysis.
What if the other parent ignores the parenting plan?
You can file a motion to enforce. The court can order compliance, makeup time, or adjust custody if violations continue.
How do Nebraska courts handle parental alienation?
While not in statute, alienation is recognized in practice. Judges may order therapy, adjust custody, or limit visitation to repair relationships.
Final Takeaway
Taylor Swift’s “Father Figure” highlights the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of reclaiming agency. Nebraska custody law does the same, ensuring children are not pawns in power struggles but instead are protected, supported, and heard.
At Zachary W. Anderson Law, we help families cut through manipulation and focus on what matters most: children’s best interests.
📧 zach@zandersonlaw.com