Divorce Coach Olivia Howell Sparks Online Backlash by Accusing Men of 'Weaponizing Pooping' to Avoid Family Duties
Divorce expert Olivia Howell has ignited a heated online debate after claiming that men are using extended bathroom breaks as a tool to evade family responsibilities. In a September 18 Substack post, Howell argued that the bathroom serves as a unique domestic escape hatch because it offers 'plausible deniability' that other activities, such as working out or using headphones, do not. She suggested that smartphones exacerbate this behavior, allowing men to hide behind the guise of a medical necessity while engaging in various digital activities. The article, published by the New York Post on September 26, highlights the viral nature of the controversy, noting that social media users responded with a mix of outrage and humor. Critics dismissed the claims as absurd, while others joked about the absurdity of the situation. Howell, a certified life and divorce coach and author of 'Divorce Happens,' is a mother of two who divorced her husband in 2019. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in gender dynamics and domestic responsibilities, though it remains unclear if this reflects a broader societal trend or is merely a viral moment.