No doubt, you have all heard the additional argument that women are obligated or forced to be mothers if only by the so-called accident of pregnancy, etc. The time has come to lay that archaic notion to rest. The truth is that women have an entire series of defenses to protect themselves from unwanted motherhood, and the failing is their failure to use those defenses. Allow me to enumerate them.
In summary, I suggest that we men cease apologizing for the dilemma of pregnant women and single mothers. It is a process they choose and retain complete control over. The so-called liberation of women, the fact that American women are now independent citizens, free to control their own destinies, releases men (as it must) from responsibility for women's unilateral decisions.
- The first line of defense has been woefully dissipated, although only at the express demand of women. There once was a fairly real taboo against women being promiscuous and/or getting pregnant out of wedlock. That taboo was very useful in encouraging women to avoid such pregnancies. But along came the feminists, insisting that it was sexist (evidently they never noticed men weren't getting pregnant), and out went the taboo. But the taboo still plays at least a small part in female behavior, though as women continue to complain about it, it continues to be less effective.
- The second line of defense is the small matter of a felony statute that says it is against the law for a man to have sex with a woman without first getting her agreement. It does not work the other way around for men. Even though we declare that a woman under age 18 cannot grant legal agreement no matter what she says, a boy most certainly can be held responsible for what may happen to an adult woman. Boys being held responsible for the behavior of grown women??? Odd! But line of defense number two is still quite real, but for women only.
- The third line of defense is the constitutional right to abortion on demand granted only to women. Upon the occurrence of the pregnancy, complete control of the situation is granted to the woman, even if married, and on whatever whim, she is still free to end the process.
- The fourth line of defense is the female right to give the child, and the responsibility, up to adoption. While the man will be held to fairly traditional responsibilities, he hasn't the slightest right to any contact with the child.
- The fifth line of defense is more inclined to encourage women to become mothers, but it never-the-less serves their needs, at the expense of men, in choosing a method to cope. Child support enforcement! While this might discourage men from getting involved with fatherhood, it would hardly discourage any woman.
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