Those Questions Frequently Asked about Choice 4 Men
Stephen Morgan
Q: What is "Choice for Men"?
A: Choice for Men is a proposal to improve the law so it protects
men's right to plan their families.
Q: Would Choice for Men force women to have abortions?
A: No, and women could also still put the child up for adoption or
raise it as a single parent.
Q: What exactly is Choice for Men?
A: Choice for Men would give men a recourse, remedy or relief from
being tricked or trapped into parenthood, perhaps by allowing them
to relinquish their parental rights and responsibilities, like in
an adoption, or via financial compensation. Some proposals would
limit the time during which the choice can be made, make the
choice irrevocable, only apply when men are lied to about birth
control or when boys are statutorially raped. One proposal even
allows women to relinquish their parental rights and
responsibilities. Choice for Men isn't a medical procedure.
Q: How many men are tricked or trapped into parenthood?
A: No one knows the exact number, but we can estimate from the
following statistics:
* Preliminary data indicates that 33% of U.S. births may be
unintended according to fathers[0].
* Paternities are established in U.S. courts at the rate of one or
two per minute.
Q: Isn't Choice for Men simply a way for men to get out of paying
child support?
A: No, it's more. Choice for Men is about fairness and family
planning.
Q: Can't men avoid paying child support by just using condoms?
A: Proponents of legalizing choice for men generally support
contraception, but keep in mind that condoms are unreliable.
Condoms have a 16% annual failure rate [1]. After just four years
you can bet on having an accidental pregnancy and after 20 years
of using condoms, the chances are that a man will most likely
experience not one, not two, but three accidental pregnancies!
Q: Can't men avoid paying child support by not consenting to sex?
A: Many people are surprised to learn that men can't legally avoid
parenthood by not consenting to sex. It's true! Here's a quote
from a court case in Kansas: "The issue of consent to sexual
activity under the criminal statutes is irrelevant in a civil
action to determine paternity and for support of a minor child
born of such activity."[3]
Similar cases have happened in other states.
Q: Aren't all children entitled to support from both parents?
A: No. A common exception is single parent adoptions, which are fully
legal and looked upon favorably by the various social service
agencies.
Q: Wouldn't Choice for Men impoverish children?
A: While some people might worry that children raised by single
mothers may be impoverished, keep in mind that adoption and
donating sperm are already legal for single parents and looked
upon favorably by various social service agencies. Even if the
mother can't afford to keep the child out of poverty, it was her
decision to keep the child and she should be responsible for it.
Furthermore, a fundamental right such as a man's procreational
autonomy may not be infringed upon by the state to merely save
money. [4]
Q: Where can I find out more about Choice for Men?
A:
1. Email list servers dedicated to legalizing Choice for Men
2. www.choiceformen.com
3. National Center for Men. Call (503) 224-9477
4. Men's Rights Inc. Call (916) 484-7333
References
0 - Abma, Joyce and Linda Piccinino, 1994 "Unintended Births: Women's
Attitudes vis-a-vis their Male Partners' Attitudes: 1982-1990", paper
presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological
Association, August 3, 1994, Los Angeles, CA. NCHS, 6525 Belcrest
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-8731
1 - Facts in Brief, Contraceptive Use, Alan Guttmacher Institute, New
York City, New York, (212) 248-1111.
2 - Griswold v. Connecticut 381 U.S. 479 (1965)
3 - State of Kansas, ex rel., Colleen Hermesmann, Appellee, v. Shane
Seyer, a minor, and Dan and Mary Seyer, his parents, Appellants. No.
67,978. Supreme Court of Kansas. March 5, 1993.
4 - See generally Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254, 265-6, 90 S.Ct.
1011, 1019, 25 L.Ed.2d 287, 1970.
--
I will be as harsh as truth and as uncompromising as justice. On this
subject I do not wish to think, to speak, or write, with moderation.
-- William Lloyd Garrison