Say Anything Blog

There is no clearer picture of our society's complete disregard for a father's rights than this story via Vigilance Matters:

Just ask John Stachokus. Not long ago, Stachokus planned to have a child with his 23-year-old girlfriend. Together, they picked out the child's name and godparents. He imagined what it would be like to start a family. This made him happy.

Then one day, his girlfriend abruptly decided to terminate her pregnancy. She was reacting to pressure from her parents, Stachokus says. Stachokus responded by obtaining an injunction, temporarily prohibiting her from having an abortion. Common Pleas Judge Michael Conahan overturned that decision last week. Just that quickly, Stachokus' hopes and dreams for his child dissolved.

It did not matter that Stachokus was willing to take responsibility for nurturing and providing for the child. It did not matter that he has basic human rights. All that mattered was that his girlfriend suddenly changed her mind and decided to murder their unborn baby. You see, as far as the court is concerned, John has no say in the life of his own child. Apparently, the court regards John as little more than a turkey baster with a pulse.

I understand that the baby is in the woman's body, and that the woman has to deal with the majority of the rigors of pregnancy, but does that mean the father gets no say in the future of his child?

I think abortions should be illegal (excepting rape, incest or special medical reasons), but if for whatever reason we're going to keep them legal we should at least allow the father of the child to have a say into whether or not that child is going to be born.