How is it fair that a male has no say in abortion of a child, but is financially responsible?

Question

If both the male and female are responsible for the baby (as shown that they are both financially and emotionally responsible) then why does the female only have the say in aborting the child? Surely if the male does not want the baby and opts for abortion, but the women wants to keep it she should be the one responsible?

How can a guy have equal responsibility with the female, yet less rights?

Getting some great answers, but the argument "it's her body" doesn't really apply. I mean, I understand that the guy can't say lets abort and then the women is forced to abort against her will. But if the guy wants to abort and the female does not, maybe he shouldn't be held responsible? No child support and what not, after all it was the females decision to keep the baby and not the male.

Answer 1

Oh boy. I can't wait to see the "It's our body" responses out of this.

Answer 2

That's a tough question. Looking at it from an opposite perspective, I don't think the mother should be able to have an abortion without direct consent from the father (unless in situations of abuse). I had an abortion April of this year, and while I was no longer with the father, I sat him down and explained my reasons before I had it done, and made sure that he was 100% okay with it before I went through with it. Had he not wanted me to have the abortion? I'd still be pregnant right now. After all, it was his child too. Now on the other hand...if it was he that wanted the abortion and I wanted to keep the baby? I would definetly keep the baby. And yes, expect him to pay child support and be a part in raising the child. Abortion should be an option ONLY if NEITHER parent is capable of raising that child....but as long as one is, that's all it takes.

Answer 3

Well, it is the woman's body, that's why is her decision. Although I agree with you , why would a man be responsible of the child if he doesn't what the baby? well.. first if you don't want to have kids with any woman you have sex with then...you should use protection, don't trust if a woman tells you she is taking precautions, use your own protection that will ensure you that there is no way she could end up pregnant, but If you have used protection and still the girl got pregnant (because that happens, protection is not 100% guaranteed) then...there should be a law that protects the men who doesn't want to have the child but the woman refuses to have an abortion, like a parental refusal or something like that. I completely understand your point of view and I think is not fair that there are some women (of course none of use here in Yahoo Answers) who use a baby to catch the man and collect child support.
I know that woman should stick together but there are some things that aren't just fair. If we want to keep the baby and refuse and abortion and the father doesn't want to have anything to do with the baby why would he has to be financially responsible for that? it is our desition at the end.

Answer 4

I agree and disagree with you somewhat.. The woman may have religious reasons to not abort, emotional reason or health reasons, or moral reasons.. ultimately the woman is the one carrying the baby so she has the final say,.. but you never know the outcome till it is to happen to you, I have known couples that have not wanted to even try for a child, but then the woman falls pregnant and where as before she didn't have any desire to have this child now that she is presented with the option her views change, and they have decided to keep the baby.. There is no gaurantee on what will be in these situations, both people involved just need to take precautions in the first place, by chosing to have unprotected sex you could be choosing a whole lot more!! Both people are responsible once they have sex together no matter what the outcome or views..
ha,ha,ha.. it's funny to think of it this way but sex can be sort of a contract....

Answer 5

The typical response will be something like "it's the woman's body, she should have the right to choose." However, you do point to an inequality that has been noted by others, such as the philosopher Warren Farrell. The woman has a right to choose whether to carry a pregnancy to term, and if she does, the man is held financial responsible for that child regardless of his wishes.

Don't expect this to change any time soon. In matters of family law, if you have an X and a Y chromosome, you lose--automatically.

Answer 6

You can forget about your rights pretty much. Once you've put that thing in the wrong place for too long.
Youll gradually catch on as you experience what actually happens in the courts now. The joy of custody battles, child support enforcement. A lifetime of joy awaits you. Congradulations your probably already on the deadbeat dads list.

Answer 7

Good question, I think it's because the life is inside the female. I also think that counseling should be involved before any decisions are made to rule out anyone who is not willing to help with the responsibilities.....
But then I don't agree with abortion's because your messing with GODS creations....
If your going to have sex than you need to be protected and that can't just be by using one contraceptive....

Answer 8

He doesn't have less rights. He has exactly the same rights at each stage of the process in which he's involved.

Both the parents have the same rights pre-pregnancy. Both have the right to refuse to contribute to the pregnancy.

Both have the same rights and obligations post-pregnancy.

So, pre-pregnancy and post-birth, there is no difference between the genders.

During the pregnancy, neither has any rights to say what happens to the fetus. Not directly. But the woman has the right to determine if she continues providing life support out of her body to the unborn. Since the man is not (then) providing anything, there is nothing for him to withdraw. That's why he has no say -- he has no involvement in the biological process of continuing the pregnancy.

Put it another way. It takes two (mother and father) to create the pregnancy. It takes two (mother and unborn) to continue the pregnancy. Any one involved can opt-out at any time during their involvement.

Answer 9

I agree that it seems unfair, but unfortunately the child is in her body and no one has a say in what happens in our own bodies but ourselves. And all of the mess could have been avoided if birth control was properly used. The woman may be liable if she lied to her partner about using birth control.

Answer 10

Well, that's just the way it is. It is her body, her decision.

As for child support - you accepted that responsibility when you made the decision to have unprotected sex. It's not as if you didn't know what could happen.

If a male doesn't want a baby, then he will use a condom. If he doesn't? Well, then, "hello Daddy" for the next 18-20 years.