In Lawrence Hinman’s, “An Introduction to the Moral Issues” on Abortion, he asks us to consider the rights of the potential father as well as the mother. We are to consider the rights of the biological father in cases where his wishes do not coincide with those of the woman’s. It may be that the man involved does not wish to be a father, while the woman does not want to have an abortion. However, it may be the other way around, the woman desires to end the pregnancy, while the man involved wants to be a father and raise the child.
My initial reaction to this was: “When men can carry the baby for nine months, then they can have a say.” However, upon further consideration, I feel that their input should be valued. The final decision must, from necessity, rest with the woman carrying the child. Yet, during the decision making process, the man’s voice should be heard and listened to.
According to Mr. Hinman, many feminists believe that giving a voice to the prospective fathers can be seen as “an act of returning power to the oppressors.” I thought the ultimate goal of feminism was equality, not superiority. Women are equal to men and men are equal to women. Therefore, we must grant men the same rights and responsibilities that we, ourselves, want and deserve.
Mr. Hinman says, “A man can be a father and never know it, but the same is not true for a woman.” That is technically true. However, once a man knows about a child’s possible existence, his life is changed irrevocably. Just as a woman must live with the sorrow and pain that can result from an abortion, so must a man. There will always be pain associated with a child that is never known and to deny that a man can feel that pain is shortsighted and cruel.
This should not be an issue of oppressor and oppressed. It should not be a “women versus men” situation. This is a decision that, ideally, should be made together between two individuals. This should never need to be considered in the courts. However, we do not live in an ideal world. We must deal with this issue when agreement cannot be reached between the two people involved. In those instances, as much as I may be heartbroken by it, the woman’s individual choice about her body, her life, and her future must be upheld.
This was another essay I did for a Contemporary Moral Issues class I took a couple of years ago. The topic is still a good one and I still feel the same. A man should be consulted before an abortion takes place, but the ultimate decision must still be left in the hands of the woman who will have to carry and give birth to the child.
12 comments:
Once again, you make sense!!!!
I do believe it is a womans right to choose and the final decision should be hers. However I think the feelings of the father should be taken into consideration as well as long as he is over the age of 18. When dealing with people under the age of 18, it usually is up to the parents.
I do love your blog!
Thanks!
The rights of under-aged potential parents is something for a whole other post...and I'm not sure even I'm up to opening that can of worms! lol But in general, young fathers to be should be consulted just as the older variety should. And in the best of situations, all three sets of parents would sit down together and discuss what would be best for all involved. Unfortunately, we rarely have the best of worlds and often the parents of the boy don't hold him accountable for his actions. It's a sad thing. It's one of the reasons I push so hard for sex education in school. If more of our children actually knew the risks I think there would be fewer (not none, but fewer) teen pregnancies.
The reason I mentioned boys under the age of 18 is due to their lack of responsibility. And sadly I have seen first hand cases of young girls that get pregnant, the young father is nowhere to be found and his parents are not willing to get involved. But you're right, that is a different topic! I only wanted to explain why I excluded men under the age of 18.
I also agree with your opinion about sex education in schools but I think that it is the parents that need to do a better job at home. Most are doing a (excuse the phrase)piss poor job of it. It's time parents start to be parents and realize that it takes more than feeding, housing and clothing a child to actually raise that child and most parents seem to leave all aspects of education up to someone else nowdays. There is NO WAY I would rely on a school to teach my children everything I think they need to know, especially where sex is concerned.
I'll quit babbling now. :)
You weren't babbling. You just have alot of opinions - just like me - lol! I wish more parents were willing to be active in their children's lives, but the sad fact is that today in the United States most families fall into one of two catagories 1) single parent homes or 2) both parents working. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day or days in the week to get it all done. It's time for the village to start pitching in and help raise the children.
My husband and I both work and I have made sure to find time to educate my children on the things that I personally think they need to know. I understand there isn't much time in the day but when I had kids, it became my job to inform them and raise them with the things I think it's my responsibility to teach them. But you are right in the fact that not all parents are willing to take the time to do such things. But I think rather than golf or shopping, ect. they need to MAKE time. It's a sad situation either way and I can't say I really disagree with you.
I have to say though that I do find it amazing that you and I do tend to agree on most things. And even if we disagree, I can understand your point.
Off the topic though, Plan B will not be available over the counter until at least December or early next year due to packaging concerns. That bit of info came from Walgreens.
Off the topic though, Plan B will not be available over the counter until at least December or early next year due to packaging concerns. That bit of info came from Walgreens.
sorry that posted twice!
thank-you, that would be great.
tatiana, i miss you blog!
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