To Mike T?

Question

Both men and women have reproductive rights and responsibilities. By virtue of biology, because a woman is the one to bear the child, it so happens that men must exercise their rights NOT to bear children. This way of thinking should start in the bedroom and not at the abortion clinic or in the courtroom. While it is true that after conception a woman has more control than a man over the decision whether to bear a child, and may unilaterally refuse to obtain an abortion, those facts were known to the father at the time of conception. The choice available to a woman, by the fact that she, and not the man, must carry the child and must undergo whatever traumas, physical and mental, that go right along with pregnancy, does not excuse his part in the conception process.

Now men do their share of worrying during pregnancy because of course an unwanted pregnancy will can disrupt his job, or disrupt his education, and it can disrupt his mental health, and it often disrupts his entire family life.

Now that I was fair let me say this:
Most guys who think like you, in my opinion, seem to want to be justified legally. What I mean is that , I sometimes think that guys like you are more interested in winning the some "moral" debate. Sure, you can walk away from your kid and never contribute a dime. Done all the time. The difference, I think, you want to be applauded for what you think is a legitimate ethical choice. You want community approval for your actions, instead of indifference at best, and outright contempt or legal penalties at worst. I think the argument could be made that your kid might be better off if you walk, especially if you're nothing but hostile to his/her very existence. What child needs that? But don't think I'm gonna think your some sort of hero because you did disappear

Answer 1

The main point I was making was that the law is not fair to men. Men already know the law is unfair before having sex with a woman.

I believe if a woman can legally have an abortion.. a man should legally be able to not pay for a child he never wanted in the first place.

Answer 2

Nice job, putting an answer as a question.

All masculists want is for men to have an option to sever all future legal and financial obligations to the child during the pregnancy.

Men should have some reproductive choice. To say otherwise is misandrist and sexist.

Answer 3

Sigh. And some men complain about *feminists* being non-humanist.

I think needing to draw up a contract regarding your own flesh-and-blood offspring and caring more about your money than your children is about as non-humanist as it gets.

Answer 4

Well said! I certainly hope that he takes your words to heart instead of living in his head.

Answer 5

Thank you.

Answer 6

Wooo - say it sister!

Answer 7

VERY WELL SAID!