[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Originally Posted by mercuryrising

If it is voluntary for a woman to decide whether she wants to have a baby, I think it should be voluntary for a man to support her decision to have that baby.

What are the errors in this argument, if any?

I don't necessarily think that there are errors in the argument. I do however think that it's a giant can of worms where at least one person in the equation is always going to come up short in some way.

Some scenarios:

1. One Night Stand Situation: Man and woman get it on, condom breaks (or they were stupid enough not to use one). Neither should be obligated to the other in any way. If the woman wants to keep the child, that is her decision. If she wants to get an abortion, her decision. That is a tricky part. What if the man is totally against abortion and would take the child himself? Should he be allowed to force her to carry to term? I believe that the answer is no, unless we continue to keep the rule that should she decide to keep the child, he pays. It's easy enough if she wants the child and he doesn't in this scenario. She has baby and is responsible for everything about the baby. If father wants nothing to do with having a child, he should sign away his rights and be free.
2. Dating Situation: Pretty much same scenario as one night stand.
3. Marriage or Long-Term Cohabitation: This is a little trickier to me. What if the couple has two kids, accidentally gets pregnant with a third and the guy doesn't want it? Sure, you may say he is not obligated to pay for a child he doesn't want, but in this case that causes some really big issues: Does the marriage or partnership end? Does he see and support his first two kids and ignore the third? The really big questions come in at this scenario for me and I'd love to hear what others think.

• If you fail to use protection, should you be liable?
• What about if you lied and told your girlfriend or wife you wanted kids, then when one is actually on the way you change your mind?

I don't know. I'm trying to come up with a way that's fair for everyone but I guess in this situation there is really nothing that is I don't think. I'm interested to see the conversation.