No. It was better when men had responsibility AND legal authority. If the woman wants to leave, she got no rewards for doing so, and the kids were his. There was fault divorce so if he was a monster, she could get some legal relief and compensation for legitimate reasons, not for any reason like I’m bored, I love someone else, I dont feel that way anymore, you dont have money anymore, etc.
If he's a monster, why do you want him to have the kids? Do you know what monsters do to kids?