Inside Life

Should Adults Refer to Children as “My Husband” or “My Wife”?

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Nigerian medical doctor and social media personality Aproko Doctor recently ignited a heated debate on social media about the appropriateness of adults referring to children as “My Wife” and “My Husband.”

Taking to X on October 3, 2025, he wrote, “Adults should stop referring to kids as ‘my husband’ or ‘my wife’. Stop it,” referring to the age-old tradition of using ‘my wife/husband’ as a term of endearment when referring to children.
The statement has divided opinions online. The practice of calling children “my husband” or “my wife” cuts across many Nigerian households and is often seen as harmless.It’s a widely used term by adults to endearingly refer to children. Its usage cuts across culture and is generally light-hearted rather than a declaration of intention to marry the child in question.

However, Aproko Doctor’s words echo the concern of adults who believe the term is appropriate for kids. These people, like Aproko Doctor, opine that the term is a passive acceptance of harmful language that exposes children to danger.

Many users sided with the doctor, insisting that terms like these create a false sense of security that can be exploited by predators. For them, the endearing term has become increasingly more dangerous, especially in a society where children are increasingly exposed to abuse.

“That’s how molestation starts,” one user wrote, stressing that children should not be sexualized in any form, even in jest.

 

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