MEN have several options when it comes to birth control.
They can use condoms, the least invasive of all contraceptives. They can opt for a vasectomy, which is a permanent solution to contraception. And there is even a male version of the contraceptive pill, which should be available shortly.
But some politicians in Sweden have proposed a brand new, simple and completely painless form of birth control, that requires nothing more than a signature on a piece of paper.
Male abortion.
Yes, the youth wing of Sweden’s Liberal Party have proposed allowing expectant fathers to ‘legally abort’ their unborn babies right up until the 18th week of pregnancy — the cut off time for actual, physical abortions in the country.
“Men should have an equal right to opt out of parenting and choose whether or not to become a parent,” Marcus Nilsen, chairman of the party’s youth wing West (LUF) told the Aftonbladet newspaper.
“There are endless examples of men who can’t even say whether they want to be involved in parenthood or how involved they want to be. It is important that men remain honest with themselves and their intentions.” Aftonbladet newspaper.
The male abortion would be a legal decision, allowing unwilling fathers to relinquish all parental rights and responsibilities for their unborn child. The father would have no future rights to see his child, but would be relieved of all financial responsibility.
The proposal sparked debate in Sweden, but was firmly rejected by the Liberal party’s central office, which is hardly surprising. The youth wing of the Liberal party has proposed radical policies before, such as legalising necrophilia and consensual incest — both of which were quickly shouted down.
The strange thing about the policy is the reasoning behind it. In a country that overwhelmingly supports abortion, the youth wing of the Liberal Party claim that male abortion is a feminist policy. They believe it will provide equality for the sexes, and allow expectant mothers to know whether their baby’s father is prepared to support the child.
Now, it would be lovely if there could be equality for the sexes when it comes to pregnancy. And when men are equally capable of carrying a pregnancy there will be. But sadly, at present only women can carry a baby. And so to compare the signing of a legal document (aka ‘male abortion’) to an actual real, physical termination of pregnancy isn’t just insulting, it’s utterly ridiculous.
A female abortion (aka a ‘real, actual abortion’) isn’t a legal decision. A pregnant woman who doesn’t wish to be pregnant can’t just make her pregnancy disappear by signing a form. She must find a doctor, have tests, and undertake a medical procedure.
And yes, it must be awful for a man to have a baby he doesn’t want. It is also awful for a woman to be pregnant when she doesn’t want to be. And it must be pretty awful for a woman to have to hide her pregnancy until the 18 week mark, to avoid a recalcitrant partner from signing his responsibilities away. And it must be bloody awful to be pressured into terminating a pregnancy because a partner legally withdraws financial support.
Ultimately, though, even these concerns become irrelevant once a baby is actually born. Because in reality, a male abortion does not actually abort a baby. A male can sign all the forms he wants, but if a mother chooses to carry her pregnancy to term, a baby will be born into this world. And once a baby is born, it doesn’t matter one scat whether the parents wanted it or not. What matters is that every single child born into the world has the right to financial, social and emotional support. And if the parents are financially, socially and emotionally capable of providing that support — no matter what the circumstances of the child’s birth — they should be required to do so.
In the meantime, the youth wing of the Swedish Liberal Party should keep brainstorming. Perhaps they would be better off trying to fast track the actual, real male contraceptive rather than inventing fanciful methods of birth control.
[SOURCE :-news]
