I had always assumed that if a man had gotten a woman pregnant, then if that pregnancy is carried to term, both partners should be financially responsible for the child regardless whether the man had wanted to have the child or not. The mindset being "they got them pregnant, so you have to face the consequences'".

I was talking with some people online, and they asserted that if the man did not want to have the child, then they should be able to apply to be resolved of any financial responsibility towards caring for it. I was at first against this proposal, but I feel like I now understand it better. Our current legislation was created at a time where abortion was tantamount to murder, and since it was illegal, an obligation of financial responsibility was the only way to ensure that women weren't stranded with children they couldn't afford to raise. But now that we live in a world where abortion is legal (for now), and where abortion procedures are safer than carrying the child to term, there doesn't seem to be a good argument for men still needing to be financially responsible for unwanted children. Men probably would still need to assist in paying for the procedure, but outside of that, I think they had a point. Please explain to me if there is anything I'm failing to consider here.

I also want to apologize for the binary language I used in writing this. I tried at first to write this in a more inclusive way, but I struggled wrapping my head around it. If anyone can educate me in how to write in a way that doesn't disclude non-binary comrades, I would appreciate it.

  • TheUrbanaSquirrel [she/her]
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    4 years ago

    I'm not talking about 15 year olds. As far as I know you can't sue a 15 year old for child support, but maybe someone on the thread can correct me.

    The messy reality is that most people don’t consciously think of this stuff before they act.

    Yes, and our culture has left the consequences of this ultimately to the person carrying the pregnancy. I'm saying we need to normalize the reality that both parties can create, and stop, fertilization from happening.

    Arguing that a 25 year old doesn't understand the consequences of sex is incredibly patronizing.

    I'm not lib-shaming. This is a socialist forum. All of us want all children to be born into a generous social safety net. OP is asking about a pregnancy now, in the present world.

    • ofriceandruin [none/use name]
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      4 years ago

      Arguing that a 25 year old doesn’t understand the consequences of sex is incredibly patronizing.

      I don't think so. How many chapos have done dumb shit at that age that they later regret? Like I said nobody is really mature until much later than the legal age in most countries: https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47622059 (lib source I know). Plus this kind of reasoning is what boomer-types like to use on young people (i.e. "you youngins ain't kids anymore, so just die in this neoliberal hellscape!).

      I’m not lib-shaming. This is a socialist forum. All of us want all children to be born into a generous social safety net. OP is asking about a pregnancy now, in the present world.

      I get that, but this kind of "present world" talk comes off as telling coal-miners to "learn coding" without offering anything material to help them transition to stable employment, etc. And if you're gonna talk about the "present world" and changing it, tactically speaking (in terms of persuading your average Joe who gets triggered at the idea of child support) it does come off as shaming.

      • kristina [she/her]
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        4 years ago

        your head is entirely within the confines of your rectal cavity, sir. we will need to perform surgery to remove it.