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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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July 6, 2006, 10:48 am PDT

07/06 Baby Wars

Quote From: myciel

I am a woman but I agree with Matt.  Why is it woman can have all of the say in the world when it comes to pregnancy?  Because the woman bears that child??   He seems to be the only one acting like an adult in this situation.  He at least stands up and admits that he does not want to be the father, this woman knew he did not want to be a father, and yet she lied, yes she lied to him about the fact that she in no way can get pregnant.  She obviously thought that once she was pregnant he would change his mind.  And her NOT showing up on the program pretty much says it all.  She is a liar, and took this persons young life, and became the puppeteer.  $500.00 a month??!!  Woman like her is the reason why men are deadbeats with their child support.   She wanted that baby, now she can pay for that baby.  That was HER choice.  She disgusts me.
It was both of their choices.  Sex takes 2 people, unless it's a RAPE!  I don't think this lady intentionally got pregnant.  It just happened.  That's life.  
 
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July 6, 2006, 10:49 am PDT

Having a choice

All I can say is that there is a choice whether or not you want to be a father, but if you dont use the proper precautions and commen sense then you are taking that chance...my advice is have control of yourself and abstain from sex, there is nothing wrong with waiting till your married to have relations and that is what God see's fit anyhow.
 
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July 6, 2006, 10:49 am PDT

Having sex =possibility of having a child

This guy does not deserve to have a penis.  When you make the choice to have sex there is always the possibilty of having a child.  This should tell men that they should not be so naive to women and always should protect themselves.  How can he live w/himself knowing there is a child w/his dna out there and does not have a father.  Instead of investing in a lawyer he should have spent the money on child support for the next 10 years and hopefully by then the mom will have found another man and then he can sign his parental rights over.  I hope this man has to pay child support until the day this child turns 18!  I am horrified that a man would actually sue a woman because he is a dead beat dad and does not want to pay child support.  This baby is a huge blessing and when he does decide to have children, his children will grow up and will eventually 

find out about a sibling and if they meet this child, they will question him. Shame on him!!  

 
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July 6, 2006, 10:52 am PDT

07/06 Baby Wars

Quote From: mobusml

I have to admit that, being a father, I can't imagine what Matt is thinking.  If you don't want to be a father at this time, don't lay down AT THIS TIME!  As far as I'm concerned, this is just another example of the "not my fault" generation not accepting responsibility for his personal decision.  We are taught in "sex ed" in school that NO birth control method is 100% reliable EXCEPT ABSTINENCE.  If Matt REALLY didn't want to be a father, or risk becoming one, then the 100%-probability choice for Matt was to abstain.  He made a poor choice that contradicted his spoken preference.  If you're man enough to contradict yourself, you have to be man enough to live with the possible ramifications of that choice.  Matt... grow up and be the man you profess to be!  

   

-Mitch  

Mitch Right On!!!!
 
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July 6, 2006, 10:52 am PDT

07/06 Baby Wars

Quote From: amethystic

I can personally relate to the position your mother was in. Through my son's life I can view how you may feel.. or something similar. I just wanted to tell you that your attitude towards your situation and your outlook put a smile on my face.. and I am proud of you!
Thank you for your very kind words. And thanks for being a wonderful mother to your child. Our moms are our rock in these situations and I hope God blesses you richly.
 
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July 6, 2006, 11:00 am PDT

Opt out of Fatherhood/ VAWA act also excludes men

Quote From: rissie

 

Obviously most of you who are posting messages have never gone through family courts. The only part you got right is that it is about money. Be aware that all of us as taxpayers are subsidising the child support agencies. The federal government matches dollar for dollar all child support dollars collected by the state agencies and even provides bonuses and incentives for these agencies. With that kind of financial incentive it's now wonder the "deadbeat" has emerged. Do the research, women are the big winners in family court......  

Perhaps we should consider shared parenting as our Australian counterparts have to try and level the playing field. 

 
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July 6, 2006, 11:06 am PDT

07/06 Baby Wars

Quote From: myciel

I am a woman but I agree with Matt.  Why is it woman can have all of the say in the world when it comes to pregnancy?  Because the woman bears that child??   He seems to be the only one acting like an adult in this situation.  He at least stands up and admits that he does not want to be the father, this woman knew he did not want to be a father, and yet she lied, yes she lied to him about the fact that she in no way can get pregnant.  She obviously thought that once she was pregnant he would change his mind.  And her NOT showing up on the program pretty much says it all.  She is a liar, and took this persons young life, and became the puppeteer.  $500.00 a month??!!  Woman like her is the reason why men are deadbeats with their child support.   She wanted that baby, now she can pay for that baby.  That was HER choice.  She disgusts me.

Ok.. First of all.. that's not a very well thought out opinion. Going on that logic.. just for starters.. $500 a month would even pay rent. Sorry.. Lets continue.  Suppose it is a FACT that this woman lied to Matt.. which by the way, is not fact, only hearsay in the court of law. But lets pretend since that's what we are doing here, and say that she did in fact lie without possibility of being found truthful.. She produced an egg that month like most women of childbearing age do.. and that egg in and of itself would be on a feminine napkin somewhere if he had not added his sperm. You see.. without his contribution.. microscopic as it may be.. there would not be a baby.  

I also disagree that women have much of anything to do with men not paying child support. There are good men in this world.. and there are other men in this world. And if a man does not Have to take responsibility and he chooses furthermore not to have the morals to take it... he is not going to pay child support. If on the other hand he does have personal dignity and responsibility.. he will.. or even more ideally.. he wont have to because he will protect himself from making an unwanted child, along with his partner.  

And continuing on the non-factual aspect.. even if she did lie.. she is the only one who is taking responsibility. She is raising that child which he refuses to so much as touch. She is undoubtedly paying for the things that the child needs. She is giving the child love and or compassion and or bedtime stories.. not Matt.  And if it disgusts you that a woman could possibly lie.. I have a hard time understanding how a man refusing to be a M-A-N could possibly win your vote. In my humble opinion.. if one is going to have morals.. one should just go ahead and buy the whole package. Selective morals are 99% of the reason why in this country, you are given a life without work, bills, debt for committing a serious crime. Its the reason why we have homeless people, starving children, foster systems filled with babies and children who will never know a mother or a father. Its the reason we argue about things like who should win "American Idol" instead of who should be in control of our military. Quite frankly.. all of the half-way thought out opinions, in my opinion, will be our end.  

  

 
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July 6, 2006, 11:07 am PDT

Why?

Quote From: buggilybug

It's a little too late now. He's a father.  Can't take it back.

Men have to protect themselves same as women. If they don't want to be fathers they have to take precautions...not NOT have sex. Let's be fair. Do what you can, but don't leave it up to the woman (or man). Two consenting adults have to each take responsibility.

No matter what she said, he should have prepared himself if he were so certain he didn't want children.  I don't believe he can just take it back because he doesn't want a kid. She's been born, she's bright and beautiful. She's a person he created.

My bf wears protection and I take my pill on time. We both know we don't want an accident and we're both taking the responsbility. Overkill? No way. We know what we don't want to happen.

Why can't he take it back? Women have no problems getting pissy about not being able to have abortions, etc. If it is "HER BODY, HER CHOICE" then it most certainly is "HIS SPERM, HIS CHOICE" The door must swing both ways, it can't be women's choice only. He made it very clear to her that, he, in no way shape or form did he want to father her child. For her to go on and have this child and expect him to take care of the financial obligations is completely ludacris. Fight on Matt. 

Yes, Iam woman, hear me roar! 

 
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July 6, 2006, 11:10 am PDT

Baby Wars

Seems like we need a pre- intercourse contract..... but woud it hold up in court? I mean marriage is a contract, but that contract gets broken so often it shouldn't be called a contract....
 
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July 6, 2006, 11:12 am PDT

Mmmmmmmm

I find it quite interesting that no one is posting to the men that have gone through something like this in the Courts and no matter what they did couldnt see their child.  Doesnt anyone have any views on this or is it just bashing bashing bashing against Matt. 

  

This case is about EQUAL rights, not just dealing with not being a father, but also the men that want to be a part of their childrens lives but the woman doesnt want that, someone explain how that is being equal.  This is what this is dealing with, stop looking at what is on the face, but how this can actually change, for the better, equal rights for men, dealing with everything.   

 
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