Thomas Phinemann, Contributor

Whenever the issue of abortion is raised, more often than not, it is seen as an issue about women, for obvious reasons.

Only women can choose (except in extreme situations of physical compulsion or threat) to terminate pregnancy, but abortion is an issue with which men, too, have to grapple. Although we do not feel physical pain, we go through emotional trauma when our partners have an abortion. Our lives are affected, too.

Role of men

Most people forget that men play an important role in childbearing. Men's views on abortion are as important as women's. Sperm is part of us. Although sometimes it may appear otherwise, we do care about the children that we father. This is why some of us are willing to accept children that women say are ours when they belong to another man, hence the 'jacket' phenomenon. Some of us even marry a woman who is pregnant for another man and willingly father the child when he/she is born as we would our very own. We love children.

Honesty of women

Men want women to be honest with us. Sometimes, we are tricked into fathering children that we are not ready for. Women tell us that they are taking birth-control pills when they are not, so they end up getting pregnant when we least expect this to happen.

Men are as divided on the issue of abortion as are women. Some of us see nothing wrong with abortion on demand while others see this as a murderous act and will only agree to an abortion if the woman's life is threatened.

For some of us, not even rape is a credible enough reason for having an abortion. It depends on who the rapist is. Let me hasten to say that rape is wrong and can never be justified under any circumstance. I am also aware of the fact that not every time a woman says that she was raped, she is speaking the truth. Sometimes, women tell lies to embarrass and humiliate men they want to hurt.

Some people may argue that abortion is an issue about 'rights', and only women should have the right to decide whether or not they want to carry a child. This is the case when women can have children all by themselves. They do not need our sperm. I don't care if they become pregnant by artificial means. Women cannot produce sperm. Eggs alone cannot produce children. Therefore, women should not be the only ones to choose to terminate a pregnancy. The father of the child should be involved in the decision-making process.

Consent for abortion

In cases where abortion is allowed, the father of the child should be required to sign a document demonstrating his consent. One may ask, what if the father refuses? In such a case, the Family Court should decide whether or not an abortion should be allowed.

The matter of the length of time it takes for a ruling to be obtained from the Family Court may be raised. The urgency of such a case is obvious. The court should deal with this matter expeditiously. Either the man or the woman will be unhappy with the ruling of the court. Obviously, both cannot win. But the views of both the man and the woman would have been taken into consideration. This is a thorny issue.

Men and women should think long and hard about the possible consequences of being involved long before there is any need to consider the issue of an abortion.