I’m always happy when I see interesting questions like this one raised in a public forum. Even if it is a topic so ‘hot button’ that people can rarely have a civil dicussion about it.
In the end though, I have to disagree with the notion of legally “choosing” to disassociate yourself from all obligations (and rights) of a parent if you are a man and you don’t want to be a father.
Yeah, it sucks if someone makes a choice that you disagree with, and that choice affects your life, but certain fundamental facts about sexual reproduction mean that ‘equality’ or ‘fairness’ are simply not factors.
Providing the genetic material to create life is an obligation that you cannot ‘opt out’ of.
Still… interesting discussion.
2 Comments
Jim Kingsepp · December 13, 2005 at 4:31 pm
Okay. so it sucks if someone makes a choice you disagree with. Like if your mother decides you don’t fit in with her career choices or her life in general. It sucks for you.
The problem with these discussions is that it gets philosophically abstract pretty quickly. The reality of a growing fetus is ignored and the discussion becomes a selfish litany of my rights and choices versus your rights and choices. Pro-choice says that abortion should be avoided at all costs but their actions don’t back this up.
Carrying a child is a responsibility. It may be unwanted but it is a responsibility that must be met. What women want is to be able to be absolved of this responsibility. It is a sign of maturity to face these responsibilities.
Jim
Brian · December 13, 2005 at 6:59 pm
Okay, I have to disagree with this line of thought also. While some points are valid (yes, it is a responsibility), I think it’s completely IRRESPONSIBLE to force parenthood on parents who are unwilling or unable to support children if another option exists. And it’s not technically correct to assume that it’s always a fetus that is being discussed.
It could be a zygote.
(Just showing off my vocabulary.)
Comments are closed.