Consequences for men?

After hearing the details of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and listening to the discussions about its fallout, I have regretfully heard not one consequence that any male participant suffers. Except for men’s part in conception, no man will have to anxiously await the unwanted results of a pregnancy test, have to delve into the deepest part of his soul for guidance or make the life-altering decision to terminate a pregnancy.

And even if a mother decides against abortion, unless the man involved admits to his fatherhood or chooses to become a part of that child’s life, it seems the woman is not only carrying the child in her body but she is also permanently responsible for the child’s well-being and rearing. In some cases, the biological father does not carry that burden, and the mother must rely on a court for financial assistance. Even in those situations, the biological father can opt out of his child’s life.

So for all of the outrage of a woman’s decision to abort a fetus, where is the outrage when a biological father has no responsibility to the happiness, security or welfare of his child? Are the states that are so aggressively pro-life willing to identify and force biological fathers to be financially responsible for their children? Are they willing to force these men to be active parents? Is such a mandate possible?

Yes, adoption is one option for a woman’s pregnancy, but again, this is a decision primarily made by the mother, sometimes with regret and lifelong grief.

I have not heard any pro-life advocates speak about any intolerable anxiety or grief that any man suffers when a decision to terminate is made. I hear only about the righteous indignation of pro-life advocates when they speak of women killing their babies. So women, besides being the procreators, live with a potential human being in their wombs, have to make a monumental decision regarding their personal health and child-raising ability, and suffer the legal and moral consequences if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Sounds like it is a “man’s world.”

— Barbara Metrik, Wheaton