Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and the North West Controversy: The Ethics of Parental Rights in the Public Eye

Kanye West, now simply known as Ye, has once again found himself at the center of a media storm. This time, it’s not about his political views, his music, or his fashion ventures—it’s about his daughter, North West. The controversy ignited after Ye released a song featuring his 11-year-old daughter and Sean “Diddy” Combs, despite alleged protests from his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. This raises an essential debate that goes beyond celebrity drama: When it comes to co-parenting, who has the final say in a child’s public exposure? And at what point does parental influence cross the line into exploitation?

Parental Rights vs. Ethical Responsibilities

In the aftermath of Ye’s latest song, the internet is predictably divided. On one hand, some argue that Ye, as North’s father, has every right to involve his daughter in his creative projects. After all, co-parenting should be an equal endeavor, and both parents should have a say in major decisions about their child’s upbringing. On the other hand, Kim Kardashian’s legal maneuvering suggests she believes her role as a mother grants her greater authority in determining North’s public presence. But should one parent have unilateral power over a child’s artistic expression?

Let’s be real: Ye and Kim both built their careers on media spectacle. Kanye, a musical genius by most standards, has used controversy as a promotional tool for decades. Kim, on the other hand, became a billionaire by meticulously curating her family’s public image. It’s ironic that the same woman who grew an empire by broadcasting every aspect of her life on reality television suddenly wants to pull the privacy card when it comes to North’s involvement in music.

But that doesn’t absolve Ye either. Using his daughter’s voice—especially on a track that includes a phone call with Diddy, a man facing serious legal issues—feels irresponsible at best and exploitative at worst. If North were 16 or 17 and making an informed decision to enter the music industry, that would be one thing. But at 11 years old, she’s still developing her understanding of the consequences of fame. And in a world where social media never forgets, that exposure could have long-term implications for her mental and emotional well-being.

The Double Standard of Fame and Parenthood

One of the biggest takeaways from this situation is the hypocrisy surrounding how celebrity children are handled in the media. When it benefits the brand, children are paraded in front of cameras, used to sell products, and even handed their own social media accounts before they hit puberty. But when the wrong parent makes a move, suddenly the “protection of the child” argument is invoked.

Kim’s cease-and-desist efforts seem less about protecting North and more about controlling the narrative. If she were truly opposed to North being in the spotlight, she wouldn’t have allowed her to appear in ad campaigns or viral TikToks under her watch. This contradiction speaks to a larger issue in celebrity culture—parents don’t actually want to keep their children out of the public eye; they just want to dictate how and when they are seen.

But Ye isn’t innocent in this either. If he truly wanted to respect North’s autonomy, he would have waited until she was old enough to make that decision for herself—away from the pressure of her parents’ feuding and the prying eyes of millions. Instead, he’s made his daughter the centerpiece of a battle that ultimately benefits his brand and fuels media attention.

The Bigger Picture: Kids Are Not Pawns

What’s happening between Ye and Kim is not unique—it’s just a high-profile version of what many separated parents experience. The bitter truth is that when parents can’t see eye-to-eye, children become leverage. Ye seems to be using North as a symbol of his defiance against Kim’s control, while Kim is using legal tactics to assert dominance over their daughter’s public image. Neither approach is particularly admirable.

If we take away the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the core issue remains: What is in the best interest of the child?

Children of celebrities don’t get to make their own choices in the same way other kids do. They are born into a world where their faces are recognizable before they even understand what fame means. They are thrust into the public sphere, where their every move is dissected, judged, and monetized. That is a heavy burden for any child, and it’s one that should be handled with extreme caution.

Regardless of which side one takes in this situation, there’s one undeniable truth—children are not pawns in parental disputes, nor should they be exploited for headlines or financial gain. The moment a parent begins to prioritize their own agenda over their child’s well-being, they’ve already lost sight of the most important thing: being a responsible parent.

The question isn’t whether Ye had the right to put North on a song. The real question is whether he should have. And that’s a conversation worth having far beyond just Hollywood.