1.)Woman finds out she's pregnant. Father wants to keep the child and mother doesn't. Regardless of reasoning Woman has the RIGHT to abort the pregnancy/ put the child up for adoption.(I completely agree with this.) 2.)Woman finds out she's pregnant. Father doesn't want to continue the pregnancy/put child up for adoption due to financial circumstances, lack of potential support, work/school constraints, age etc. Yet Woman decides that she wants to go through with pregnancy anyway. Once child is born Man is obliged to support child for 18 years. How is this gender equality? As a young black male I unfortunately see the latter a great deal in the African American community. I believe it is fair to say this is one of the largest problems facing young black males and the black community as whole. There is talk about the lack of black fathers playing a role in their kids lives, might this be one of many causes? (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39993685/ns/health-womens_health/t/blacks-struggle-percent-unwed-mothers-rate/#.Twj4pW_Oyrl) To shift focus away from the black community. I'd argue it is an issue that men face in general. Might the guaranteed child support encourage some women to bring children into the world in uncertain financial and support circumstances. I by no means am trying to blame women, rather discuss the policies in place. But, can someone please explain to me how the current policies promote gender equality, are fair, or good for american society? It takes two to make a child the last time I checked. Shouldn't the choice of bringing a child into this world be made by BOTH parties? If a mother wants to bring a child into the world against a fathers wishes, should fathers (early in a pregnancy) be able to opt out of being a presence in a child's life/child support if he can show a valid reason why he should? The current system in many ways seems to set up many young fathers to turn into the dreaded "deadbeat" dad. We don't want to force women into motherhood yet seem okay forcing men into fatherhood. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermesmann_v._Seyer) I admit I may not have a full grasp of the issue and would love to hear arguments on both sides. My post is not intended to be antagonistic rather an honest discussion on what I perceive to be anissue. I'd also love some input from r/feminism