Courts, award, custody, circumstance, tide, equally

I maybe tend to ask a lot of questions which are simple for you guys, and there's a reason why I am asking you many questions. English is my third language and therefore it is hard to learn. I hope I someday will become better in English than I do now.

Anyway, here's the sentence I do understand, but there are some words I need explanations on.

"They seemed really shocked that the courts would award custody to the father in those circumstances. I think that maybe the tide is turning and men are being seen as equally able to look after children."

 PS! You can just correcting my errors, this is the only way I can learn my errors and perhaps improve my English.

Hello D&L,

It would be easier to explain this if we had more context. Some of the words, like circumstances and equally, are common words not used idiomatically, so I don't know why they are causing you trouble. 

The courts - custody is decided in the court, by the judge or other official.

Custody - who is determined to be repsonsible for a child (or the children) in a divorce. We use the phrase "custody is awarded to..." or "they were awarded joint custody"

Circumtances - You can use your dictionary for this. I don't know what the context is, so I don't know what the circumstances are.

"The tide is turning" - an idom to say things are changing

equally able - just as good at something as someone else - in this case, men are just as good at being parents as women

(I'm surpised when custody goes to any single parent these days - most courts award joint custody unless there is something seriously wrong with one parent.)

EDIT: Sorry to have been so slow. I see Clive has beaten me to the punch. However, since I'm divorced from my children's father, if you have specific questions about how this works, please let me know.

Beaten me to the punch? What does that mean?