When dealing with abortion, you mainly hear about a woman’s “right to choose,” but it seems as though people have forgotten that “it takes two to tango.” While it is true many times women who consider abortion when facing unplanned pregnancies do so under pressure from the father of the child, or because the father will not help raise the child, there are cases where the father does want the baby. In those cases, where are his rights?
On Wednesday, February 6, 2019 the pro-life human rights organization, Personhood Alabama brought a lawsuit against Alabama Women’s Center in Huntsville. Personhood Alabama along with Ryan Magers are suing for the wrongful death of Magers’ child.
According to the lawsuit, Magers’ girlfriend became pregnant and wanted an abortion. He pleaded with her not to get one, but she went ahead with the abortion anyway. Magers’ girlfriend, six-weeks pregnant, was given a pill at Alabama Women’s Center which killed their child. This was allowed because there are no laws giving the father rights, only the mother.
Thankfully, a person in Alabama’s constitution and statutory laws is defined as “a human being, including an unborn child in utero at any stage of development, regardless of viability.”
Magers’ child fits that description.
Additionally, last November, the constitution was amended declaring it is the “public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children.”
Due to these laws, Magers might stand a chance in court.
These laws are what pro-life advocates want to see across the country. Pro-life advocates hope for a day where all human beings are given equal rights under the law.
It takes two people to create a child, and a father should have a say in what happens to the child he created. Although the mother is the one who carries the child for nine months, a father should still have a say, especially if he wants to be involved.
While reading about Magers’ story I was reminded of the testimony of my friend Jason Jones. He was 17 when his girlfriend became pregnant. They were both still in high school, so they decided to hide the pregnancy. He dropped out and joined the army so he could have money to take care of medical expenses and to help raise the little girl. He was looking forward to being a father.
Sadly, while he was in basic training, Jason got a call from his girlfriend’s father. Her father told him that their “secret” had been discovered and “taken care of.” Jason, who did not know much about abortion, was furious. He talked to his commanding officer wanting to press charges because his daughter had been killed. He informed Jason that there was nothing he could do about it because abortion was completely legal. And as a male, he had no legal say in the matter. From that day he committed his life “to protecting women and children from the violence of abortion.”
Although Jason could not do anything to save his daughter, he now stands up for children like her that cannot stand for themselves. Jason is now a film producer, writer, and pro-life advocate.
Jason’s story and Ryan’s story hit me hard because I am a male and realize that we have no say in the matter. I have wanted to be a father since I was a kid. I cannot imagine going through what they are going through.
I hope and pray Ryan wins his case and some justice is restored.
Nick is a former pro-life campus leader with a passion for truth. Influenced by his faith, science, and human rights advocates of the past, he speaks out as a voice for the voiceless.
