Reply #57: I think you have my premise right

[lukasahero]

(And to be fair, it's not my premise but one I saw kicked around here recently.)

I think there would have to be some institutional changes before something like this could work however. Obviously, there would have to be support structures built to allow single mothers to actually be able to succeed in raising a wanted child "on her own" if she so chooses.

Additionally, I am absolutely 100% behind you in the idea that men should be more responsible about who they sleep with - as should women. I believe we should be teaching sex education and in that class we should be addressing abstinence, self-control and all manner birth control (as well as protection from STDs). But again, I think we have to recognize that no matter how responsible some people are and how responsible we want them to be, both men and women (and young men and young women) make bad decisions - not to mention accidents do happen - and options and support systems have to be available to everyone who finds themself in a situation where a child may have to live with the effects of those decisions.

Re: your points of what an "opt out" option would do, a support structure system would address the financial burdens on the mother (btw - in case you hadn't noticed, I'm no libertarian). Increased reproductive freedom for responsible men is not, in my opinion, a bad thing - just as increased reproductive freedom for women isn't. And as far as increasing the abortion rates, I disagree. I think if we can get past the petty arguments of "she tricked me", "he left me" we can get down to the business of providing education, birth control and support services that reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies not just the number of abortions. That to me is the ultimate goal - reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies by education, access to birth control and health services, financial and social support and expanded employment/financial opportunity.

Again, I realize that not every situation can be addressed by so simple a model but it's something worth thinking/talking about, if only as a fanciful idea that gets some of the guys who think all women want to castrate them off our backs. ;) You guys should definitely be speaking up and encouraging responsibility among your brothers. Just as I will continue to "preach" sexual responsibility to my sisters. But we also have to realize that not everyone will listen and women and children are the primary "victims" in the system currently in place.