A Father’s Rights Vs Planned Parenthood
by Kaya Omodele @TheAbeng
In all this drama about Planned Parenthood harvesting tissue from aborted fetuses, in all the quarrels over abortion rights and pro-choice and women’s right to choose, couple things been NNNINGing in my ear worse than some pregnant mosquitoes: What about the man’s rights, the father’s voice? Wgoin mention a father’s rights in this whole controversy? The man should at least have some voice in the debate, not true?
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Now, before some of you women’s rights banner bearers start hunting for some big stones to pelt me down, I am not talking in behalf of pro- this or anti- that. That is for you, your God (or your there-is-no-such-thing), and your conscience to sort out. The axe I’m grinding is because neither abortion clinics, doctors nor Planned Parenthood don’t ever have to consult the potential father (of whom without there would be no seed planted in nobody’s egg). There is no law currently in place, that I know of, which enforces the father’s rights before the act, to see if that father wants his child brought to term.
However, there are a whole heap of laws holding him financially responsible for supporting the child when the woman gives birth. That seems a little off to me- on one hand, if a man doesn’t want a child but the woman does, the man is obligated. On the next hand, he wants the child but the mother doesn’t, now he has no say, no voice in the matter? Wha’ de hell???
I see you running for them stones again. Yes, I know, is not my body swelling and aching through pounds of changes; is not me who gon have to wear stretch marks and carry on with hormonal turmoil. You’re right. But you can’t blame a man for nature, though. If I could carry my child I would. All I’m saying is that the time has come for open dialogue about a father’s rights. If this is truly planned parenthood, then there must be other options to consider. Example, paternal custody.
So, when the father wants his child to be born and the mother doesn’t, I think that the father’s wishes must be considered before making an ultimate, unilateral decision. Abortion shouldn’t be the first and only option, the end all be all without even consulting the man. Where are the father’s rights. If the mother doesn’t want the child, then she can just relinquish all parental rights; let the father have the child.
