by Karen Boyd

Created on: April 09, 2009   Last Updated: April 10, 2009

Absolutely; fathers must have a voice in abortion.

Why? The reasons are simple; nature and nurture.

First and foremost, by nature, it requires two individuals (mother and father) to create an embryo. Mother and father are both vital participants in the union that results in the unborn child. It is an indisputable fact that the magic of conception requires Fathers sperm to fertilize mothers egg. Sperm and egg; both possess the DNA that together determine the sex, genes, and other significant characteristics of the unborn. Therefore, the embryo is physiologically a product of both mother and father, despite taking residence in mothers uterus for nine months. Immaculate conception does not exist for us mortals.

Regardless of the decision to abort or deliver, this unborn child undeniably has two parents; both deserving equal rights in this life-altering decision. Mothers should not be granted ultimate authority based on their ability to house the fetus. Fathers, obviously, do not have the capability to grow an embryo, yet conception is impossible without the initiation and delivery of their sperm.

If men possessed a uterus and all the anatomical features to be fertilized and grow a baby, would mothers rights be questioned in this matter? (Personally, I doubt it.) Mothers rights would not be questioned because mothers have historically been viewed and treated as the primary caregiver, the nurturer.

In responsibility of these care-giving duties, society has perpetuated the notion that babies bond first and foremost with "mom". Mothers, in decades past (and present), traditionally took on the majority of child-rearing necessities. "Mom" would change the baby's diaper, "mom" would feed the baby, "mom" dressed the baby, "mom" was present for all of baby's major milestones - first tooth, first word, first step. Then, it was primarily "mom" who would prepare the child's meals, see the child off to school, perform the housekeeping that satisfied the child's needs to have clean clothes, school supplies, medicine, etc.

Whether we like it or not, the sexism of "mom" as primary caregiver, or parent who holds the growing embryo, considerably gives reason for this abortion debate. The sexism and stereotyping of parental "rights" in these matters subsequently favors mothers. Mothers decision to abort and mothers "rights" has perpetuated through time, and has virtually gone unquestioned- until recent years.

As mothers today have an increased presence in the workplace, community, social circles, etc., "mom" is not always the primary care-giving parent. "Stay at home dads" are now a reality, a growing phenomenon in the modern family. "Dad" is not always the breadwinner; "dad" grocery shops, cleans house, and cooks. Likewise, more companies have introduced a paternal leave of absence for fathers of newborn babies.

It is a fact that there are fathers out there who want and seek full participation with their children, their babies, and the unborn child. Fathers deserve equal rights to the nurturing, decision-making, and active involvement with their children. Fathers also deserve the right to have a voice in matters of abortion.

The line cannot be drawn, fathers cannot be excluded from the decision to abort or not abort. Nature and nurture have proved that a child, (unborn or not), has two parents, is a product of two beings, and has a mother and father with equal ability and desire to raise this child. Fathers, therefore, also have a right in the decision to end a potential life.

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