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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, 2:54 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: labruna

Matt and his lawyers are inhumane and immoral.  How can you live with yourself knowing that you as an adult do not love your own flesh and blood.  How can you make a living as a lawyer with such a case?   

   

MAtt if you didn't want to have a baby with 100 percent certainty than you never should have had sex. Your baby is lucky not to have you as a father because you are the lowest of the low!!!!!!!  

Totally Agree!!!
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

Womens Choices

My single daughter made the choice to have a baby - knowing she was capable of caring for the child with no help from the father. She has done it all herself, and in fact would not take money from him if he offered it - because it would give him some control over her life. Single women are given the same right to demand child support as women who entered into a legal marriage contract with their childrens' father. Any woman who wants to have a baby can do so - whether by accident or by deceit - and get child support just like a woman who was married when she gave birth. I do not believe this is right - because it devalues marriage. There would be fewer out-of-wedlock births if women knew absolutely that they would have to take responsibility for the outcome. I am  a feminist who believes in women taking charge of their own lives because ultimately it is the woman who gets pregnant and who therefore must protect herself. I'm not letting guys off the hook - any man who made a commitment, got married and fathered children is absolutely responsible for support. And I believe that a man who fathers a child out of wedlock has no rights to the child for the same reason that the woman should have no right to support. Is this bad for the child? Yes. So don't do it. Matt wants to walk away? Let him.
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: no1gymmom

This guy made a decision to take the girls word that she could not have children.  If he truly did not want to have children, he should have used and/or insisted on some form of birth control.   This however is not a 100% guarantee.      

   

Since a child was conceived out of this relationship, it is the responsibility of both parties involved to take responsibility.   Why should  it be the sole responsibility of the girl?   Obviously this guy is looking for an out and does not want to pay support.   He truly needs to grow up!  

The "MAN" and I use this term lightly where it concerns the guest, was not given the options (abort, adopt out, keep etc.) that the "WOMAN"  had.  I would never abandon my own child, however, I want the options the woman has. If she "OPTS" to keep the child without me agreeing, then I should be able to "OPT" out of the financial support.  Why is it after the woman is pregnent the men must abide by what "she" wants.  She could have prevented the pregnancy also.
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: finchynj

I really believe neither a woman or a man should have the choice after a baby is conceived. but, since row vs. wade says a woman can choose the fate of an unborn child why the hell can't a man have a choice at that same point??  

sure a man can't develope a fetus but we do carry the responsibilities of a child for the rest of our lives.   

not all of you do!  This much is really obvious!
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

Fatherhood

Quote From: mayfly520

I'm divorced, and both parents were ordered to pay child support.  Of course, since the kids are with me, I don't have to mail myself a check every month, as my ex does.  But, do you think the combined child support really covers all the expenses for my kids?  Never.  Do you think I say, too bad, they'll have to go without because I already paid the court ordered amount?  Of course not, but their Dad thinks that way.   The courts decide what the minimum monetary obligation should be from a parent to a child, based on income.   What truly loving parent only does the minimum required by law?  Aren't we supposed to give our all to our children?  In my state, child support ends at age 18.  Did I kick my daughter out of the house on her 18th birthday?  Legally, I could have, but I love her, and I am willing to go above and beyond what the law requires because she still needs me.  Why don't more Dads think that way?
My sister and I wanted to give our views on this. This is my oppinion and she agrees. Parenthood is an awesome responsibility. Sex is a gift form the almighty to allow us the opportunity to have parenthood, to pro-create That should be in the back of each persons mind when acting on impulses to have sex. Your suppose to have enough sense to either keep your thing in your pants (abstanence) , get a vicectomy, or wear a condom if you are not wanting to pro-create. Period!! If you do not do one of these things then, and you do have unprotected sex, it shows irresponsibility on your part and lack of judgement and is your responsiblility to pay the consequences for that action for at least 18 years and possibly the 9 months, while pregnant also. Also Period!! Children and idiots should never use the awesome tool of pro-creation without guidance. A little late to get guidance from lawyers and activist once the egg is planted.There is a consequence to every action, and in my opnion his should be, to, step up to the plate and pay out the nose for the period of time allowed by the courts. Nastiness nastiness is pronounced nasness, by the way. Thanks
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

04/21 Baby Wars

Quote From: sgpvt2004

DO NOT HAVE SEX!!!  KEEP HIS PANTS ON!!  USE A CONDOM...BUT THE IS NOT ALWAYS FOOL PROOF!!!  WHEN HE CAN CARRY A CHILD HE WILL GET THE CHOICE.
Ok then tell women that dont't want a child to not have sex.  KEEP HER PANTS/DRESS ON!!!!   USE BIRTH CONTROL.  That way an abortion is never neccessary exept in cases of rape.
 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

who's right and who's wrong...ha ha

My husband was kicked in the groin in a karate match when he was a teen and was told by a doctor that he'd never have children.  He proceded to have unprotected sex with all his partners with no pregnancies.  We got engaged and the next thing we knew we were pregnant.  We now have 3 children and are currently planning a vascectomy.    

   

My point is that if she truely believed she couldn't get pregnant, then there should be no blame.  She has stepped up to be a mother because she had no choice.  Men do not understand what a huge decision it is to abort a child.  Some women can do this and others can't bear to.  Obviously, she is one who couldn't bear to.  I am one of these women.  I'd rather take care of my baby alone than abort.  Which is what she is doing.    

   

I feel there is no excuse for his whining about the position he is in.  After all , she is taking care of the child.  He just wants someone to tell him that it is ok for him to walk out on his child.  And that is never ok, no matter what the situation.  

 
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April 21, 2006, 2:54 pm PDT

Men should have rights....

I am a woman, I am a mother, having said that, I know there are many devious women out there. Now, I am not classifying all women, but, there are women who elect to get pregnant for mere entrapment. Currently, my husband and I are in this boat. Prior to my husband and my courtship he had a brief relationship with a woman. They had sex together and created a baby. First off, my husband because of medical reasons was led to believe he could not conceive children, this women said she was on birth control and stated she was to old to have children. During our relationship prior to us getting married she came forward stating he was the father of her child. She never disclosed this to any of us, her pregnancy or the fact that there was a possibility of him being the father although she swears she did. Even on legal documents she stated, she never intended to disclose this baby, she was forced to when she fell on hard times and needed assistance from the state she was residing in. She also tried to lie on her application checking a box stating no children. It was found that my husband was in fact the father through paternity testing. At this point, both parties had agreed prior they did not know where there relationship would lead and children were not an option. Now, my husband is forced to pay child support for a child she will not even acknowledge as her father. Court Ordered child support exceeds over half of his actual disposable income. Our state also gave her retroactive child support even through all this documentation that put him in the arrears automatically for appx 1 year of support. During this time, he was also injured on the job and only receiving 66 2/3 percent of his wages, then was abruptly cut off from these weekly wages. We have petitioned the court at least 5 times for some relief and to no avail, we have lost every time, even with medical documentation. The law states, that when a parent is behind in child support it is not modifiable or at the discretion of the Judges. However, in our case, Judges were never used, they use, hearing officers that actually work for the State Revenue Departments. This child support obligation is not only ruining our lives, but also ruins the lives of many others. The term Dead Beat dad, really should be reviewed in its entirety. I say this because with a man, father, having no rights, they are already behind in support payments, obligations and such even when the situation was manipulated. How will they ever get ahead. This has been a battle in our life for now almost 2 years, leaving my husband at the end of the work week with less than $100.00 from his paycheck. How does one truly survive on this pay without neglecting his family, children etc for having to obtain a second job. I believe men, fathers, anyone, have rights and should be equal. Women fight everyday for equal rights, equal opportunity employment. If we make our bed, we need to sleep in it ! If this woman or any woman chose to have an abortion, my husband, any man, would not have the right to say, choose or demand different, but because a woman out of wedlock chooses to have a child, she hunts the father like a hungry tiger. This is unfair, unlawful especially if the man was not willing, able to care, either financially or emotionally for a child. I mean really, what is better, having a man who cannot pay, be there...or having a man who is man enough to say this is a task I did not want, you knew I did not want....To say that the man should be the only one to "protect" during sex is absurd. As a woman, we have much more to our disposal that is more precise in the way of avoiding unwanted, out of wedlock children, than a man. Condoms break, wearing a condom is his word against her word, for women there are birth control pills, injections, diaphragms, implants. A man has 2 choices, a condom, a vasectomy ? To say that a man should have surgical intervention because he is having sex and not ready for a baby at that very moment, is like telling a woman she should have her tubes tied as an unwed woman having sex but hopes to have children in the future. The fact is, no-one can or ever will be able to stop sex in unwed women, men, teens etc. Maybe, just maybe, if women were held accountable as well for there actions we wouldn't be in this baby boom generation of babies having babies, single mothers, dead beat dads and unwanted and truly unnecessary pregnancies. If the father continues taking the blame, because he was so cursed with the sperm that fertilizes the egg than this just tells women we can sit, spit out babies, and collect a check and we truly wonder why the world is going bankrupt ? Please understand, I am also on the other side of the coin, I am a mother of 3 children from a previous marriage. There father is nothing other than a dead beat. He is true meaning of dead beat. He is in more trouble than he is ever out of it. I have never received one dime of support for my children. To me, you can't get nothing from nothing ! It is also my responsibility to care for my children, financially, emotionally, physically, morally etc. I know this man cannot do any of these things in his current state. I also have to take responsibility for the fact that I helped create these beautiful children. but in my eyes, I would rather take full responsibility than allow a man who is not fit to care for my children. What is the lesser of 2 evils ? I am a firm believer in everyone having rights. Even a purple polka dotted man who fell from the moon and landed on this earth. This is America, the land of the free, where choice is given to every one of us but not the man. Now, would I agree if a man and woman are married having sex and suddenly become pregnant. No, why ? Because as man and wife, our duties are far greater and different to each other. We are suppose to know each other, wants and needs, it is our duty to communicate and compromise with each other as man and wife, brief encounters, short term relationships this is not the case. I do believe safe sex should be used....I do believe that somewhere as a society we have focused so much on practicing safe sex for STD related issues that everyone forgot , YOU CAN STILL GET PREGNANT. When is the last time you seen a commercial advertising a condom and the prevention of pregnancy, it is all about STD's, maybe everyone needs to be reminded , have it in there face ! Maybe we should get back to basics, like when I was in school and an assignment we had in HomeEch was to pretend play with an egg as a baby, boy, we did not dare drop that egg ! We had to take it everywhere, find a babysitter if we wanted to go out....whatever happened to home ech and the basics ?
 

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April 21, 2006, 2:55 pm PDT

Baby Wars

As for the guy who didnt want to be a father - tough.  Use a condom or take your chances.  You had a choice and made it.  As for why the woman gets a second choice - it's because she has to carry the baby, stupid!! 

  

Dan and Lisa - I suggest Lisa and Dan take a weeks vacation.  Lisa should go with a friend to a spa.  Dan should stay home and take care of the kids all week.  Make sure they have school and all normal activities.  He can also clean and cook.  Maybe then he would be less enthusiastic about another child.   

  

Also, speaking from experience, I always wanted more time with my workaholic father.  Dan should spend more time with the children and less working.  Kids want time more than money.  I still do. 

  

 
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April 21, 2006, 2:55 pm PDT

My opinion on the biological fathers not wanting to parent….



 

 I don’t think that the men should have a say on a woman facing the option of having a child or not.  

Women are the ones that have to devote the rest of their lives to this child and if a woman feels that she is not ready then she may choose not to be a parent.  

  

 

For the women that feel that it’s necessary for a man to be a part of the child’s life, ASK your self this…” Why would you want to force a man to be there when he is not responsible or mature enough to be a FATHER and take on the responsibility?  

“Yeah kids cost a lot of money but women should stand up and be strong and not ask for a dime, asking for money makes you look weak.” If a man doesn’t want to be there, why should we beg him for anything?  
I’m pregnant and “my so call perfect man” walked out on me after finding out that I was expecting.
 

I don’t want to have anything to do with him. I don’t want him to be a part of MY child’s life and I certainly don’t want a dime from him. I’m not planning to ask for anything, I’m giving him the option to be a father or not. If he wants he can look for me and the baby…and if then he wants to be there then that’s when he will be obligated to help financially.

 

 
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