In the first 70 years of the 20th century, the goal was to increase the rights of women to be on a par with those of men. While there is still some distance to go on that goal it is pretty much acheived... however what has happened is that way back when there were areas where women held all the cards. And those seeking equal rights for women have made sure they get equality where women were at a disadvantage, but ALSO have sought, and for the most part succeeded, in maintaining their privileged status in other areas.

Two of these areas which stand out most prominently are:

Child Custody: Many judges simply will not even consider giving the husband, in a divorce, custody of the children even if the wife agrees that he should have them. The figures show that on a per capita basis there are more deadbeat moms than deadbeat dads, yet the stereotype of the deadbeat noncustodial parent is of the male. Neither of these are fair, nor equal, yet you will never hear women crying out about this injustice.

Alimony: No matter how much the woman makes compared to the man, women are almost never ordered to pay alimony where if the roles were reversed a man assuredly would be.

Add to this the inherent unfairness of the abortion situation from the male point of view. Here we have a guy who is just fine, so long as he is in agreement with what the woman might choose. However if he disagrees, well, that is it. He is out of luck. If she chooses to abort, there is nothing he can do about it, no matter what his views are. And if she chooses to carry to term she can do so knowing full well the entire weight of the legal system will make him foot most or all of the costs of her choice.

In the former situation not much can be done... it is her body after all. However in the latter case there should be an option for the male to pay for half the costs of an abortion or $200, whichever is more, sign papers saying he has given up any and all claims and rights pertaining to the child should one be born, and he should be able to walk away just as a woman who has an abortion can. Call it a male abortion if you will.

But for the time being women can make their choices and force men to fund those choices. That is simply not right.