Does a man have any say with regard to a woman pregnant with his child? If she decides this is not the right time for a child and decides to have an abortion, does his opinion count for anything? Is this a men's movement issue? Would courts decide if a woman should be allowed to have an abortion over the wants of the father of the child? I just wonder what everyone else would think about that. Obviously to have this discussion, one would have to be pro-choice or there wouldn't really be a discussion. I guess my question is: do men have any say in reproductive rights? Can a man demand a woman have his child over her choice for an abortion?
Taryn
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I think the men has to agree on the abortion before the women do it. It is the men right to keep the child or no same as it is the women right.
ReplyDeleteThe child is not only for the mother only but the father has right on him same as the mohter. I know back home doctors will not allow the mother to do abortion unless the father with her, or she has a letter from him that he doesn't want the child.
Also, if the doctor did that with out the father know, he can go to jail and pay a lot of money to the father.
Taryn,
ReplyDeleteThis is ironic, I was having a similar conversation with my son about this issue, just a few days' ago. He is almost 21 (which is scary in itself). We started talking about him starting to "legally drink" and the responsible that comes with reaching this age. Even though 18 is the legal age for some things in this state. Once you turn 21 and do something illegal or what you might conceive is dumb - you can legally be in BIG trouble once you are 21. This is how the conversation started. He has a girlfriend, (more of a friend). So, I gave him this scenario. "Let's say you get romantically involved with Allie and she gets pregnant, what would you do?" Now we are not overly religious in our faith and my children know that I would give advice, but ultimately have them make their own decisions and choices. So, my son's response was simply, "I would marry her and she'd have the baby." With this, I played "devil's advocate" and said, What if she didn't want to marry you or have the baby, what would you do?" This was a mute point because he felt that they were so close as friends that they would be able to work things out and come to a joint solution. Which is what I would hope he would do. I think that is the best way to deal with this situation. Is it ultimately the woman's choice, legally, I think so, it is her body and if I'm not mistaken up to a certain time is allowed to have an abortion even without parental consent, let alone the alleged father's consent which is an issue in itself. Unless he gets a court order to claim paternity, how does he know that the child is actually his to say you can't have an abortion. This is a unclear topic. Like I said, two people should discuss and decide what is best for all in the situation. Anyway, that's my opinion.
I did not touch on this issue in my post, but while researching I found out that the father has no rights or decisions on whether the mother gets an abortion or not. This is another issue that is unfair for men, because they are not even entitled to the child if the mother should decide to put it up for adoption, since most courts are reluctant to offer custody to the father. But, if the mother should decide to keep it, the father is then responsible for paying child support. This is unfortunate, since it does take two to make a baby, but is seems thatg once it is conceived all decisions fall on just one. As we study gender, we must bear in mind that males are being treated unfairly and this is one area where it can be seen.
ReplyDeleteTaryn,
ReplyDeletePro-life is when a person believes that the government has an obligation to preserve all human life, regardless of intent, viability, or quality of life concerns.
Pro-choice is when a person believes that the individual should have unlimited autonomy with respect to their own reproductive systems as long as they do not breach the autonomy of others.
This topic is a difficult decision to make or answer. First, it depends on your views of pro-life or pro-choice. Second, this could be considered a men’s movement because it is denying them their rights to their unborn child. However, could the man force or demand her to have their child against her will? I don’t believe this would happen because it is ultimately her body and her choice. The woman’s rights should not be violated because you would be violating her autonomy. Everyone has rights. So forcing a woman to bear a child against her will; would just not happen in my opinion. Pro-choice allows unlimited autonomy with respect to their own reproduction system and this situation would violate their autonomy or free will of choice.
-Nicole