[libertylover]

In that case, Judge Alito wanted to uphold a Pennsylvania law that required women to notify their husbands when seeking an abortion.

Look again, I think the writer stated it correctly. It's true though that many others have distorted Alito's ruling.

[KateatRFM]

"If we take the classic scenario -- hubby carrying the healthinsurance "head name" -- and wife as dependent listed -- "

This is exactly why back in the beginning of feminism, women wanted the right to sign contracts in our own names.

While in this instance, insurance aside, I believe that a man who fathered a child ought to be given the opportunity to step up and take responsibility (or under the present laws, ownership) with all the obligations that entails, I also agree that a man who refuses to take responsibility for supporting the child automatically loses all right to insist that the woman not only give birth but keep and raise the child. The idea of the "Tom Cat" male who scatters children far and wide for the purpose of adding to his "legend" should be condemned not only by women but also by men. (Ditto the predatory women who give birth to the child of a wealthy sports star as a trophy and then hold up the man for extortionate child support ... although the decent man would have turned her away to begin with.)

[Pharmboy]

Nope--with all due respect--it is you who should look again. This is the first line of the article: Case study one: a pregnant woman wants an abortion. Her husband doesn't. Should he have a say? Now please look at what I wrote. The writer is distorting the ruling--there was never any implied spousal consent or "say" for him in the case before Alito.

[ContraryMary]

Look again, I think the writer stated it correctly. It's true though that many others have distorted Alito's ruling.

While the writer states Alito's position, it is buried in the body of the article. And the writer clearly asks in his first paragraph whether wives should have to obtain a husband's consent. Studies have shown that most people read only headlines. The vast majority are going to read the first couple sentences and think that Alito ruled that wives should get their husband's consent.

The writer also fails to mention that it was a three-judge panel that decided the case. He gives the impression that it was a majority of the Third Circuit that disagreed with Alito when it was only two judges. This is a good example of how the mainstream media distorts issues.