A question for women regarding reproductive rights?

Question

Okay so we know men & women will always disagree about reproductive rights.

During arguments, most often women will say stuff like ''try to see it from a woman's perspective'', and I have. I've actually changed my views a bit regarding reproductive rights. I still believe we need to give men a few more options regarding reproduction, but anyway, this isn't what the question is about.

So, I've tried seeing it from a woman's perspective, and it has changed my views a bit. So I ask you, can you try seeing it from a man's perspective? What do you see?

Hmm every aspect of reproductive rights. Okay, this is what I'm asking: a lot of women when arguing about reproductive rights will say ''try to view it from a woman's perspective''. So I ask the ladies here to try and see from a man's perspective. (Talking about reproductive rights.)

Answer 1

I've tried looking at it from the guy's perspective...
It seems that most people generalize women as being sensitive creatures with fierce maternal instincts, two things that men do not have (or so people say).

It is unfair to label men unfit for parenthood and elevate women. Aren't we women for equal rights? What's the point in obtaining said rights but taking rights away from men...it's a bit hypocritical. I see an unfair world. =(

Answer 2

Is the question can I see it from a mans perspective?

I can. What do I see? Well I guess if a man finds out he got someone pregnant he either wants the baby or he doesn't. Before the baby is born, if he doesn't want it honestly I think he should have the right to walk away the same as a woman has the right to an abortion. But his choice should be just as finale as a womans would be if she got an abortion. Whats harder is if he wants the baby and the woman wants an abortion. How can you say to a woman we know you don't want a baby but you have to hand your life over to it for the next nine months because you are pregnant? You can't she has the choice to have an abortion but on the other hand how is it ok for her to have an abortion when the father wants the baby.

I don't have an answer and thankfully I haven't been in a postion where I needed one.

If your question was can I see it from a mans perspective then my answer is yes and men kind of get screwed in it all because in the end the decisions are made by the women and the men have to live with them. If a woman decides to have an abortion the man can't stop her and likewise if the woman decides to have the baby even if the man doesn't want it he has to pay child support. Its not exactly fair to the men and I think we all know it.

Answer 3

I can see where men would feel just the same as women in some cases. Scared, anxious, confused...etc. That part I can see. As far as choices go, I think both genders should have choices. Two people make a baby, therefore it is two people's responsibility to take or use birth control. If a baby is conceived, it is both their responsibility to make decisions regarding what is to be done in either case. If one disagrees, (example) one wants the child, the other doesn't, then they should talk about what options each have. I am a firm believer that before you have sex with anyone, you should know what each would do in the case of an unplanned pregnancy. In the end, women have the choice to either give the child up for adoption, give the child to the birth father and pay child support, or sign away all parental rights, have an abortion, or keep their child. Men have the options to either sign over rights, pay child support, help pay for the abortion, put the child up for adoption..etc... So I can see it from a male and definitely female point of view. But in regards to reproductive rights....it all begins and ends with both parties, making the decision to have sex. Best be prepared before hand, so you do not end up making a bad mistake.

Answer 4

OK - I am mulling this over, and think this is a great question. Let me collect my thoughts and I will get back to you. In the meantime, here's a star.

EDIT - Your question intrigued me so that I thought I WOULD see what men think about this, and went on the National Center for Men's Rights website.

I hadn't thought about it, and hadn't heard about the on-going lawsuit Matt Dubay filed - he called it "Roe vs. Wade for Men".
He cited that he was frauded by whoever he had relations with, because she assured him she couldn't get pregnant.

Here's an excert:
Our lawsuit will be filed on behalf of Matt Dubay, 25, a computer technician from Saginaw, Michigan. The state of Michigan is seeking to force Matt to pay child support for a child he never intended to bring into the world. Matt insists that the child’s mother repeatedly assured him she could not get pregnant and, also, Matt says that she knew he did not want to have a child with her. Matt is asking for the reproductive choice he would have had if he were “Mattilda.”

I have never thought of it this way. Why shouldn't a man have a say as to whether he has to pay?
If we women have responsibility over our bodies and decisions why shouldn't the guys as to whether they are a part of the process in any way?

Yes - every situation is different, and when it comes to what goes on during the "heat of the moment" I'm sure what is actually said and acted out are somewhat hazy.

This really opened my eyes. I know some gals who've had abortions and never told the guy; but I've not had any who've had the child without telling the guy and decides slaps them with the lawsuit later. That does seem rather cruel.

Have you seen that movie "Knocked Up"? Is that the best way to handle a situation, even if you didn't know the person very well - bite the bullet and tell the guy?

Great question - obviously I still have more thinking to do on this subject.

Answer 5

Interesting reading all the replies!!

Firstly, Melimar, I agree it is unfair to expect the man to pay$ for a child he did not want, so he should have used a condom and not relied on the old 'i wont get pregnant' line!

Very interesting and difficult for all concerned as women don't need men to have a child, just access to a suitable [safe] sperm donor. Men on the other hand need access to suitalbe [again safe] egg donation plus a womb.

I guess until science develops a way for men or a lab to carry a foetus to full term, the choice of to have or not have a child will remain [in most situations] and should remain, with the woman expected to carry the pregnancy.

Very interesting and thought provocing question!!

Answer 6

OK lets see if i can answer this and it makes sense.

Try to see it from a man's perspective. I think a man needs to be more involved in the decisions but I also think BOTH of the parents need to understand what the final outcome will mean to them in the future. after all it takes two to make a Baby.

I think both parents should think about it long and hard before any thing is done. lots of times both are scared and may not be thinking clear. so maybe if they can just take time and really talk it out. and come up with something BOTH of them can live with.

Fathers do need more rights i think. most fathers want to be with their kids. and most mothers want the fathers in their life. OK i know this makes no sense i am very tired and it's really hard to put into words how i feel about this issue. it's a tough one for both genders. i think the most important thing is BOTH parents have an equal say in the matter. God Bless hope this makes some sense.

Answer 7

The question already having been decided by the Supreme Court, you apparently hope a new court will see it your way, eh?

Believe it or not, this argument isn't about abortion. It's really about what is the role of government in regulating it. A vote taken today would not ban abortion. So, the next best thing, for you guys, is to say it's unconstitutional.

So, let's say your guys get into the Supreme Court and ban it. What happens? Does abortion go away? No. All the Supreme Court will do is to leave it up to the states. The pregnant mothers from the Red States will go to a Blue State to get it done.

This doesn't stop abortion, does it? Or is it more important that the anti-aborters win the argument? I could take the anti-abortion more seriously if they advocated birth control information and making the case for making alternatives to abortion more compelling.

Answer 8

I have looked at it from a mans perspective, and sometimes it is completely unfair. They have no choice to keep a baby when the woman wants it, and they have no real say in abortion, or support once a woman gets pregnant. Personally I think men get the short shaft frequently.

But I also think that many men use this as an excuse to try to avoid responsibility. They don' t want to use protection, and then they do want the woman to get rid of the child because they never wanted her to get pregnant.

I firmly believe that protection is the responsibility of both people. Men should purchase and have condoms available if they don't want to reproduce, and never rely on the women. Women should produce condoms for men if necessary, and take other methods of birth control if they don't want to reproduce.

And before any couple has sex, it should be discussed. The problem is too many people want the convenience of casual sex without the consequences of sex and aren't willing to discuss the options.

Answer 9

I see, that from a man's perspective, it is hard to imagine that my male rights are not considered, and rather than blame the biology that has made us this way, I want to have someone to blame so at times I will have a desire to bash the women who are no more responsible than I for the biological inequalitities. I recognize that were the laws reversed with the abortion decision being mine alone, I would therefore be infringing on another's medical well-being, and while my current status as a man denies me the right to have a say, the female say does not in anyway threaten my right to medical say over my own body.

I do however think that it is unfair that I must be held financially responsible for a decision that biology has made unequal, and feel that "paper abortion" would even my rights as much as is possible by litigation.

From a social standpoint, I would hope that should I be involved in a relationship that results in pregnancy, that I will be included in the decision making process, but understand the medical reasons for my not having final say.

To prevent all of this from happening in the first place, regardless of how much better it may "feel", I will take precautionary measures by wearing contraceptive condoms during every sexual act, whether my partner claims to be on birth control or not.

Answer 10

It seems to me that any discussion of abortion should answer the question "Is it alive" From day one you have something that is on its way to being a human being. After just a few weeks there is a beating heart. I had an employee who was always arguing in favor of abortion. One day I made up a story and told him that the boys in my neighborhood must be bored. I told them that some boys got some bird eggs and threw them against the brick wall that goes around the neighborhood and I could see a little bird stuck to the wall moving its little wing. My employee was outraged. He said those boys should be bashed against the wall. I then asked "Well what if the mother bird didn't want any little birds"? He then realized he had been burned and eventually changed sides on that issue.