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Topic : 07/06 Baby Wars

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Created on : Thursday, April 13, 2006, 01:22:17 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1
(Original Air Date: 04/21/06) Being a parent is hard enough, but what happens when Mom and Dad can't agree on how many kids to have, how to raise 'em and how to get ‘em to sleep?  Sometimes, it can lead to an all-out baby war! Matt's baby battle ended up in front of a judge and made headlines. He was ordered to pay child support for the baby he had with his ex-girlfriend, but he says he shouldn't have to cough up the money because she told him she wasn't able to get pregnant, and he told her he didn't want to be a father. He, his attorney, and the director of the National Center for Men discuss the lawsuit they filed, known as “Roe v. Wade for Men,” arguing that men should have a constitutional right to avoid fatherhood. Next, Dan says even though he and his wife, Lisa, already have four children, he wants just one more. Lisa has been pregnant on and off for 11 years and says she's closed for baby business. Will Dr. Phil help Dan see Lisa's point that four is enough? Then, a frustrated husband is camping out on the roof of his house and living in a tent. He refuses to go back to his bedroom until his wife moves their kids out of their bed and starts paying more attention to him. Can Dr. Phil get him to come down the ladder? Plus, a sleep expert has a simple method for getting your child to sleep through the night. See the plan in action! Share advice and talk about the show here.

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April 21, 2006, 7:06 am PDT

baby wars

one more thought... what if he gets an STD from unprotected sex? would he go after that woman, again I am sure that he doesn't want to get a STD but it is possible. would he say that he wasn't able to make an informed decision to get whatever that person may have? No! there are no gurentees for anything in this world and if you want to have recless sex then pay the price!!
 
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April 21, 2006, 7:07 am PDT

Men are currently vulnerable

I think the main topic here is men's rights vs. women's rights WHEN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY HAS HAPPENED. 

I've heard of birth control failure with pills, condoms, vasectomies and even sealed fallopian tubes, as incredible as that sounds. When it happens to you, the birth control failure rate is 100%. (It happened to me). Imagine 100% failure rate for the sake of the discussion. 

From that perspective, women can abort, abandon, etc. etc. Men are screwed, best case, financially. Man:  a ring around the finger of Woman's decision in this case. 

My daughter is 3 yrs old, incredibly beautiful, and I love her so much. 

But I think about this:  my ex-partner said birth control failed. I believe she tricked me. After unprotected sex and my repeated request to see a doctor for birth control guidance, she said "C'mon, don't you want to have more kids?" 

How many men have to go through this? 

Or, should we have sex within marriage, only once before each kid, because we want to make one? When y'all refashion society in this way, give me a ring! 

 
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April 21, 2006, 7:07 am PDT

sad

I think this is a sad subject, I am a woman with two children and I feel that women have all the rights when it comes to deciding to keep a baby, we rule when it comes to this decision.  I am appalled that this man has no rights.  I have seen too many woman tell their men that they cannot get pregnant and then end up having a baby within years giving  no option to the man,  they are trapped to pay for the rest of their lives for something that they never wanted. They pay half of their paycheck every week to provide for a baby they see when the mother or courts deside it's ok for them to see them. I hope that they win their case, I'm sick of women deceiving men when it comes to pro choice.  I am pro choice but this is rediculous if you are a woman, unless you've had a complete hysterectomy then there is a always a risk in getting pregnant.  

This baby will apparently not be loved by her father, and so it is up to the woman to provide a happy life for that baby and move on, maybe she can find another man to have another baby with and get the support she needs wether it be through the government or through child support.   

 
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April 21, 2006, 7:08 am PDT

vasectomy

If you do not want children-then take care of yourself and not with condoms, birth control pills etc---they are less than 100% effective.  Men can get a vascetomy.period.no excuse. They are even reversible.  And make sure to go to  the second, follow-up appointment to make sure it worked!  If a man does not want children, then this is the step he needs to take. Maybe there would no longer be unsupported kids in our nation.
 
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April 21, 2006, 7:11 am PDT

I thought you were talking to my son boi father

        I was on the PC and listing to the show, when the man started saying the baby should not have been born because he did not want children, I had to go look and see if it was him. My son's biol father said those same word to me when the state contacted him about child support. I did not want support from him, but because I had to go on state association, the state when after him. He thought my son should have been put up for adoption, because we were not married. I tell him we did not live in the 50's this was the 90's. My son is 15 and he has seen picture of him, but never spoke or see him face to face. I married a wonderful man when my son was 5 and he adoptioned  him when he was 9. My son biol father sign all his right way and was a great help in all the adoption procedures. I don't hold it against him for not wanting children at the time. One day we all hope to meet, so he can see the wonderful son he gave up to be raised by a wonderful man, my husband.
 
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April 21, 2006, 7:13 am PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: jayriddle

Your rant about pre-conception choices applies to both men and women.  Your boyfriend trusted you when you told him you could not get pregnant.  You trusted your doctor when she told you you could not get pregnant.   You both decided to have sex anyhow.   You BOTH made the wrong PRE-CONCEPTION choice.  Now let's move on, because pre-conception choices are COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM POST-CONCEPTION CHOICES.

Once you got pregnant, YOU had several choices -- Adoption.  Abortion.  Raise the child yourself.

Who do you think should bear the responsibility for your choices?  You, or your boyfriend?

Women's choices, women's responsibilities.

Can you handle it?
O.K. I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt here.  Did you read her message entirely?  She found out in August that her son was due in Nov.  Do the math....she was already 6 months pregnant.  That means no choice for abortion.  So she was down to two.  Sounds like she made the choice to raise the baby on her own and gave him the choice to participate or not.  That is why she gave him her email address.  DUH!!!  So I am going with SHE CAN HANDLE IT AND HAS.
 
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April 21, 2006, 7:13 am PDT

This is just ridiculous

This case that Matt Duboy is trying to pursue the "roe vs. wade for men" is absolutely horrible! yes men should have a choice but not after the consequences have  occurred. it is his fault for not wearing protection! If he doesnt want to have children: wear a condom or go get a vasectomy. Is he even thinking about when this little girl is older how detrimental it will be on her, knowing her father has displayed this to the world and wants to disown her, saying he shouldnt have responsibility. Grow up is what i have to say! Step up to the plate. There is way too many deadbeat dads out there unfortunately.. i absolutely praise the men out there who are great dads!!! good job and keep up the good work!!!  i was in a similar situation although my twin daughters father has stepped up to the plate with paying child support and isn't trying to disown them. He knows it was his responsibility too! In no way was i trying to get pregnant, i was in the military and 20 years old. i wanted to be married, in love, and financially stable. But it happened and abortion or adoption didnt even cross my mind. My body!!! and ultimately my choice. I am a great mother and my twin girls are my life! Although there father isn't trying to pursue being in their life after all the countless efforts i tried, i see it as his loss and as long as he is help paying for his children then he is SOMEWHAT doing his part!   

 

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April 21, 2006, 7:13 am PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: elvngs

I'd just like to say that I agree with Dr. Phil.  You shouldn't be having sex in an uncommitted relationship if you aren't willing to be responsible for the consequences of your actions.  Whether she said she could get pregnant or not, you chose to have sex with her, you chose to have unprotected sex and a beautiful little girl is the result.  I read a comment from someone who said the mother carries the child for 9 months and she's done, while the father pays for 18 years.  This man is paying $500 a month to help support his child.  Have you looked into what raising a child costs?  The $500 will certainly help but it by no means begins to cover the costs the mother will have in raising her little girl.  I feel for the father but if he didn't want to be in this situation, he could have kept his pants on.  It's that simple. 

I also agree with Dr. Phil and appreciate his responses.  My ex- tried to take me to court about a PRE-PLANNED baby he didn't want to pay for after he ran off with my best friend while I was pregnant.  He told the judge $180 was way too much, so the judge laughed and raised it to $250.  And after 18 years, he stopped doing anything... yet I am blind and trying to put her though college (she wants to be a surgeon).   To think that this guy is fighting against doing the right thing, AND wants to change the laws so he can make OUR difficult decisions for us.  THANK YOU TO ALL THE RESPONSIBLE, CARING MEN OF THE WORLD... YOU DON'T KNOW HOW RARE YOU ARE!!!!!!!! 

 
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April 21, 2006, 7:15 am PDT

deadbeat dads

this is RIDICULOUS!!!!!! i have a nine month old son and i know that his father would give anything to not take responsibility for him. he says this is not how he wanted his first child, well neither did i. this guy on the show just has the money to have the ability to make a big deal about this. in the end, he is trying to be young, irresponsible and not face the consequences of his actions. my sons father has quite a bit more money than i do, and he hired a big shot attorney to try to get him out of his responsiblity, and guess what? didnt work. all i want him to do is be a father. i think these people that came on the show were idiots that are trying to give deadbeat dads an excuse. he needs to accept responsibilty. he didnt use a condom. get over it.
 
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April 21, 2006, 7:17 am PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: torile

I heard about this case awhile back when it first hit the headlines, and my initial reaction was:  this guy is either totally naive or a total jerk.  I mean, come ON.  Most of us have heard stories about men who wind up as fathers after their girlfriends tell them, "Oh I can't get pregnant, I'm on the pill."  It's gotta be the oldest trick in the book.  Surely it must've occurred to Matt that this could possibly happen to him too?  I also learned way back in 6th grade sex ed class that abstainance is the ONLY 100% guarantee against pregnancy.  Perhaps Matt wasn't paying attention back then?  

  

I appreciate Dr. Phil devoting time to this issue on his show and asking this guy (and his lawyer) some hard questions.  I don't know what kind of loophole in the law they're going to use to back their case, but when I was taking tort law classes as part of my degree, we learned that mitigation of damages is a huge part of the plaintiff's case.  He's got to prove that he did everything possible in his power to minimize his risk.  If Matt had been wearing a condom, then yeah, maybe he'd have an argument...but he wasn't.  He didn't take any action, he just sat back and said, "Oh, well, I told her I didn't want to be a father."  As if he had no control over it.  

  

As far as women having all the post-conception choices...hmmm, I wonder, if Matt had been the one who was pregnant and carrying that child, would he have made the choice to terminate?  Or give the child up for adoption?  Dr. Phil was so right when he said that we don't know what we're going to do in a situation until we're faced with it. Sometimes things look unfair from the outside, but you just try walking a mile in their shoes...  

  

I think the biggest tragedy of all is this child who will grow up knowing that her father never cared for her.  She didn't ask to be born, she didn't sign up for this, yet she is paying the price.  I hope and pray that someone will come into her life who is a true father figure.  Matt is right about one thing, he's not her father.  He's just a sperm donor.  

  

Finally, I love how Matt's lawyer commented that Matt is a great guy and will be a great father one day.  Yeah, that's assuming there are any women left out there who would want to have a sexual relationship with a guy who is now *infamous* for shirking responsibility and rejecting his own child.  Maybe there is justice in the world after all.  :-)   

you have this almost to a T... unfortunately thats  the term that is used alot today "sperm donor" it is so right!!!!. unfortunately men dont want to take responsibility and be a part of thier childrens lives...  

and yes good point at the end!!!!!  

Karma is a bitch. but im glad its there 

or another word 

Poetic Justice 

 
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