A woman has sparked a lively debate after suggesting that men should be able to 'opt out' of parenting.
She suggests that a legal document could be useful in certain situations for both men and women, allowing men the option to not be involved with their child's life.
Posting on mumsnet, the woman explained that one of her pals had got pregnant as the result of a 'very casual, friends with benefits situation'. After saying from the get-go that he didn't want the baby and that he wouldn't be involved in the child's life, now the child is older, he's reached out to say he does want a relationship with the child; something the mum doesn't want.
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The woman added that her mate is now quite worried that she won't be able to stop him having access.
So, the solution, according to this woman, is giving men the option to say they don't want to be involved from the start and having them sign an 'irreversible' contract which says the same, explaining that it would also help men.
She wrote: "When a woman falls pregnant from a one-night stand or casual-sex type scenario, she can choose whether to keep the baby, or go through an abortion or put the baby up for adoption. Thus ultimately 'opting out' of parenthood.
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"A man in the same situation has no such right to opt out of parenthood. He has to accept the woman's decision and his life will be impacted by the woman's decision."
The post continued: "What if there was an option for a man to 'opt out' of parent? It would, of course, have to be done very early on - before the baby was one month old, for example. Her idea is that this could be done by signed a legal document stating that he has no desire to be a part of the child's life in any way, will not ever be able to seek any type of access and will not pay money."
She adds that the contract should be irreversible, meaning the man can't change his mind years later and demand access, before continuing: "I believe in total equality between the sexes and feel that this is unfair. Two people choose to have sex, two people choose whether or not to use contraception, but only one person can whether or not they will keep a child if an accident does happen."
Naturally, the suggestion has split opinion, with one replying: "Completely disagree. That as policy would send us back to the days of unmarried mothers' homes and sending pregnant women to the workhouse. It exonerates men, whatever the circumstances, of any responsibility whatsoever and leaves it entirely on the women's shoulders."
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And others saying that it's unfair, as going through an abortion or termination is a much more difficult decision to make than simply signing a form.
Not everyone was against it, though, one person replied: "I do think there should be a limited opt out. Every time I have sex I have to accept the possibility of becoming pregnant, but I never have to accept becoming a parent."
Featured Image Credit: PixabayTopics: Sex and Relationships