Good parents are those who have chosen to become one. It’s one of the many reasons why I consider myself “pro choice”, because the more autonomous and free the parents, the happier and healthier their children usually are. And yet, the decision of ‘choice’ only even seems to talk about ‘women’s choice’, and never mens’. Whilst advocacy for ‘reproductive rights’, only ever seems to make it as far as reproductive rights… for women. So what about reproductive rights for men? I know, people often scoff and interrupt at this point, with cries of ‘men already have all their rights!’ But do they? For after conception, what choice do men actually have as to whether or not they become a father? None. That man is coming along for the ride, whatever that may be, whether he likes it or not. His choice to parenthood is over, and he can (and often will) be legally compelled to be a father, and to financially support the child for the next 16 years, or face prosecution. Meanwhile, the woman will often have access to the “morning after pill”, abortions, or even Safe Haven Laws; giving her access to the most amount of choice possible, and thus she is allowed to ‘opt out’ of parenthood long after conception, and even after birth. And I support such freedoms. But can we find a way to give such freedoms to men too? For in a society highly based on choice, why should a man pay the price for a decision he cannot, and should not, have a say in? So how do we give men such rights? Is it time we talked about ‘voluntary parental surrender’? ~ [1]  [2]  Image by Nathan Dumlao, Womaniser Toys, Kiwi Hug, and Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition

2024-01-22