Speaking of abortions....

[HipKat]

If a woman can arbitrarily choose to not be responsible for her child by aborting it, eliminating all need for care of the child as it grows up, why can't a man choose to not be responsible by refusing to pay child support in the same way?

[Anotherview]

If a woman can arbitrarily choose to not be responsible for her child by aborting it, eliminating all need for care of the child as it grows up, why can't a man choose to not be responsible by refusing to pay child support in the same way?

Because it is both parents' responsibility to contribute (financially and non-financially) to the child's welfare.

[Flutter]

The man's choice in the matter ends with whether or not he puts on a condom.

He can make suggestions, like abortion, adoption, selling it on the black market for crack....

But, in the final analysis, if he didn't use contraception or the contraception failed, it's his kid and he needs to follow the mothers wishes.

Interestingly - a concept I got from the book Freakanomics.

Then there is Levitt's economic analysis of abortion and crime rates, which has rattled America. He claims that Bill Clinton's apocalyptic warning of a crime wave in the 90s did not come to fruition because of Roe vs Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling of 1973 that legalised abortion in the USA.

He argues that the women most likely to have taken advantage of Roe vs Wade were poor and unmarried, whose kids - if they had been born - would apparently have "led unhappy and possibly criminal lives".

Do you see where the argument is heading? In a nutshell, Freakonomics claims that legalised abortion killed off many future criminals, using data to show that 20 years after Roe vs Wade there was a dip in the crime rates. It's a distasteful claim and it has stuck in the throats of many in the USA. But Levitt stands by it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4674897.stm

the book is a fascinating read.... even if it is totally un-PC.

[HipKat]

That all seems hypocritical. There is birth control methods that women can use too, so why does it default to the man's responsibility?

Interesting statisitc on the crime rate thing.

[MarkLV]

If a woman can arbitrarily choose to not be responsible for her child by aborting it, eliminating all need for care of the child as it grows up, why can't a man choose to not be responsible by refusing to pay child support in the same way?

Because the 50 State's realise they will probably become financially responsible for feeding (W.I.C./foodstamps), sheltering (Section 8), and providing healthcare (Medicare) for the children of fathers who decide not to pay child support. Makes better sense for them to enact laws that force the father to pay, rather then the State themselves.

[Flutter]

That all seems hypocritical. There is birth control methods that women can use too, so why does it default to the man's responsibility?

Interesting statisitc on the crime rate thing.

A Man has two choices when it comes to procreation.

Which hole he puts it in, and whether or not he wraps it.

After that, he's at the woman's mercy.

[MarkLV]

A Man has two choices when it comes to procreation.

Which hole he puts it in, and whether or not he wraps it.

After that, he's at the woman's mercy.

You forgot to mention the Pull-N-Pray method...

[Anotherview]

You forgot to mention the Pull-N-Pray method...

One more, he can refrain from sexual intercourse. If you wanna play you gotta pay

[Flutter]

One more, he can refrain from sexual intercourse. If you wanna play you gotta pay

If you don't want to play with the baby - play with yourself.

[CAugust]

If a woman can arbitrarily choose to not be responsible for her child by aborting it, eliminating all need for care of the child as it grows up, why can't a man choose to not be responsible by refusing to pay child support in the same way?

Interesting thought .... I suppose one would then need to define the term man, as in be a man about the situation, or any situation brought forth.

I think this is more of a moral question than a legal question though.

[HipKat]

You forgot to mention the Pull-N-Pray method...

The Pull 'n Pray method does not work.
Just ask the pregnant woman sitting next to me......

[Anotherview]

The Pull 'n Pray method does not work.
Just ask the pregnant woman sitting next to me......

Maybe you didn't pray hard enough If you are being honest and not just kidding around, Congratulations.

[CAugust]

Maybe you didn't pray hard enough If you are being honest and not just kidding around, Congratulations.

he didnt say the woman sitting next to him was his wife though....

[Surfing USA]

he didnt say the woman sitting next to him was his wife though....

That's right. Should have used a condom, HipKat.

[mesue]

The Pull 'n Pray method does not work.
Just ask the pregnant woman sitting next to me......

again? Sweet! Congrats