Defense

[archenemy]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18841574/?GT1=9951#storyContinued

 

I don't see too many articles that expect older men to "defend" their having children later in life. I don't understand the double standard on this one.

[catbirdseat]

It is a double standard. Fathers are important to children.

[archenemy]

very. My dad was forty when he had me--his first. That was a big deal back then, but I don't remember anyone asking him to defend his choice.

And everybody knows that sixty is the new forty

[fenderfour]

I think it has more to do with the physiological demands on the body and the higher incidence of birth defects. Any old bastard with a working prick can shoot a load. The demands are much higher to bear a child.

[archenemy]

Actually, the genetic goofs in a man's sperm rise in number as he ages.

[archenemy]

And, I would think that the demands of bearing a child need to be weighed by any woman. And then, she gets to make that choice, not social standards.

[fenderfour]

Yes, but...

[selkirk]

Well, the demands of bearing a child on the mother should be weighed, but shouldn't the increased risk to the fetus also be considered?

[archenemy]

Increased risk for what exactly?

[Weekend_Climberz]

I think anyone who legislates a woman's choice to do whatever she wants with her body should have a uterus surgically attached and be forced to bear children themselves. Then they'll have some perspective to speak from :tup:

[Dechristo]

psychological trauma from nursing on papes that are tucked into a waistband?

[snugtop]

very. My dad was forty when he had me--his first. That was a big deal back then, but I don't remember anyone asking him to defend his choice.

And everybody knows that sixty is the new forty

 

My dad was 49 when he had me.

 

[sirwoofalot]

Actually, the genetic goofs in a man's sperm rise in number as he ages.

 

wow, I did not know that

[Dechristo]

sperm start doing the sidestroke after 45...they're wearing life jackets after 55.

[archenemy]

I do often hear the increased risk argument. The first problem I think of with that is my cousin, who had endometriosis pretty bad, had an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. She's young, married, otherwise heathy, and Mormon. Having a kid was paramount to her. Should other people have the power to say that she doesn't have the right to get preggos just b/c she has a higher risk of aborting than a 100% healthy woman? That doesn't seem right...

[selkirk]

No one has the right to make the decision for her. But it should be something she considers, and likely something she did consider.

[archenemy]

She's already had three other kids. She's probably better at weighing those choices and chances than 80% us on this board.

[fenderfour]

I do often hear the increased risk argument. The first problem I think of with that is my cousin, who had endometriosis pretty bad, had an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. She's young, married, otherwise heathy, and Mormon. Having a kid was paramount to her. Should other people have the power to say that she doesn't have the right to get preggos just b/c she has a higher risk of aborting than a 100% healthy woman? That doesn't seem right...

 

No one has the right to stop her, but no one has the right to stop them from questioning the decision either. It's a free country, right?

[archenemy]

If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't have started this thread. But, I have a hard time with the observation that men don't seem to go through this same scrutiny.

[selkirk]

No question at all about that!

[fenderfour]

So you asked a bunch of men?

[archenemy]

Yup.

I don't know very many women.

[Dechristo]

in the biblical sense?

[archenemy]

Well, most of the ones I've known, I've *known*

[dinomyte]

I read a different article on this, and it portrayed this gal as someone who had a kid more to promote the fact that she could, than because she actually wanted the kid.

 

Prolly more of the press misportraying the facts, but.....

 

I'm cool with her having kids at any age she wants, but I don't wanna be preached to that it's her right.

 

I actually feel that way on a number of subjects.