Fatherhood: You Have a Choice Too
“I’m pregnant.”
What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you hear those words? “I’m not ready to for fatherhood!” “We are not financially stable.” What emotions are wrestling inside your body? Does it get really quiet, and all you hear is the sound of your heartbeat pounding louder and louder? Do you feel a sinking feeling in your stomach? It is natural to have doubts and fears about the unknown, but what you do with that fear will have a tremendous impact on the future of your child.
Fatherhood… A big word that brings up all kinds of emotions—feelings of excitement, fear, uncertainty, and inadequacy can all collide with one another. Fatherhood is a growing, stretching, and learning opportunity.
It can be confusing when you hear people say, “It’s her body; she has the right to choose what to do with it.”
You may be left thinking you have no voice at all in this pregnancy, especially knowing that the mother has the legal right to choose abortion or to carry her baby to term, without your consent. However: you are equally responsible, because your involvement helped create the situation.
A woman’s body is her body, but the child she carries is not hers alone. The birth father has a part; it is your baby too, regardless of whether you both planned to have a child together or not.
The importance of fathers resonates within us all. People who had a great relationship with their dads celebrate them; and those who didn’t, know the hurt that is left behind.
The Roe v. Wade decision not only gave the constitutional right to abort, but it also stripped fathers of all rights regarding their preborn children. That’s one reason why a lot of men have been conditioned to detach themselves from crisis pregnancies. Because of this stance, fathers become involved in an abortion in one of five ways:
- They encourage or support the woman to abort.
- They pressure her to abort.
- They opt out of making a choice. “It’s up to her” is what they say, thinking this is being supportive. Actually, it is only abandoning her to make that big decision alone.
- They unsuccessfully oppose the abortion.
- They learn about the abortion only after the procedure has happened.
Despite society’s ongoing lie that men need to stay out of the discussion about abortion, the father may have huge influence over whether a baby is brought to term. Your voice matters!
Your support is one of the most valuable things you can offer the mother of your child. Having an unplanned pregnancy can be a tough and painful situation. But this is your opportunity to live up to your responsibility and see exactly what you are made of: courage!
Be the Next Generation of Men who are:
- Faithful
- Active and available
- Temperate: balanced in words and actions
- Helpful
- Encouraging
- Responsible
- Strong
If you just found out that you are going to be a father, you need somewhere to turn to find real answers, hope, and encouragement. Come in and talk with one of our male client advocates. You’ll come away from that conversation with guidance, options, and the help you are looking for! Call or click here to request an appointment.
